[1] Her family moved to Chicago when Simmons was seven year old.
After she graduated from high school she went to work for the Martin and Morris Music Company.
In 1940 Simmons became a member of the Sallie Martin Singers.
[2] In 1948, she and Doris Akers (1923–1995) formed the Simmons-Akers Singers.
Their music played a part in the expanding Los Angeles gospel movement and emphasized melody and a smooth sound.