The Investiture of Lyn M. Simmons

July 31, 2015 was the date that Courtroom 6A of the Norfolk Circuit Court and the room designated for the overflow was filled to capacity to witness the Investiture Ceremony of The Honorable M. Simmons.  As family, friends and colleagues watched, with pride, as this young African-American female became a judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of Norfolk.

The Investiture Ceremony/Order of Proceedings began with a Call to Order and Welcome by The Honorable William P. Williams, Judge Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.  Father James Curran of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception did the Invocation and Benediction.  Following the Invocation, The Honorable Michelle J. Atkins, Judge of The Norfolk Circuit Court, Recognized Family and Special Guests.  The Honorable Jerome James Judge (Retired) Norfolk Circuit made glowing remarks.  Members of the General Assembly spoke and did the Presentation of Governor’s Commission.  The Oath of Office was administered by the Honorable Judge (Retired) Jerome James.  This was followed by the Enrobing of the Honorable Lyn M. Simmons by The Honorable Jerrauld C. Jones, Judge of the Norfolk Circuit Court, her husband, and son, Jerrauld C. C. “Jay” Jones who recently received his Juris Doctorate (JD) Degree from the University of Virginia.  A Presentation, to the new judge, was made by Mary Morgan, Esquire/President Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association.  Remarks by The Honorable Lyn M. Simmons were profound and filled with thanks to those who helped her reach this plateau in her life.  Judge Simmons became a little emotional when talking about, Drs. Charles and Margaret Simmons, her deceased parents

Special guests, at the Investiture Ceremony, included Charles Simmons, the brother of the Judge Simmons and her mother-in-law Mrs. Corinne Davis Jones, brother-in-law Hillary Jones, III and brother-in-law Darryl Jones and his wife Renee Jones. Out-of-town family and friends were Terita Davis and Sheila Simmons of Chicago; Robin Belle, Jeanie Brewer, Cheryl Tyler, Charles Davis and sister Sheila of Washington, .D.C.; Allison Wise from Maine; Mildred Norman Washington and Gail Washington Shelton of Philadelphia; Thedora Lacy, Mary Lacy Murphy, and T. Nannette Lacy of Tean eck, New Jersey.

After the Adjournment, guests were treated to a reception with delicious hors d’oeuvres.  Later that evening “The Celebration Continued” with dancing, dining and fellowship in the Lyman Beecher Brooks Library on the campus of Norfolk State University.

We wish the newly appointed judge, The Honorable Lyn M. Simmons, the best in her new challenging position as Judge of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court!