Joan Dumas

September 12, 1950 - February 28, 2021

On September 12th, 1950, Joan Frances Lazarus was born, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Frank E. Lazarus and Josephine Sells Scott, and raised by her Stepfather Alvin Scott. Over her life Joan spent time and lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut; Setauket, New York; and Brooklyn, New York. She also lived in various other locations throughout Long Island, New York. First and foremost, Joan was a loving mother and homemaker; she was dedicated and devoted to rearing her children and providing for them in the best ways possible. She treasured them and embraced every living moment spent with them; and she especially loved her role as a grandmother. Liked and loved by all who had the honor and pleasure of knowing her she was Mom, Mother, or Mommy, in addition to being known as Grandma, Nana, Angel, Aunt Joan, Aunt Joanie, and referred to by so many other enduring nicknames. She had a vivacious personality, and a smile that would light up a room. She always brought smiles and laughter to those around her. Joan’s roots lye strongly in her faith in GOD. She was very family-oriented and she enjoyed celebrations; she particularly enjoyed family gatherings such as: Family Reunions, Christmas, Thanksgiving and Birthday celebrations, and not to leave out good old fashion family barbeques. Joan loved and cherished spending time and reminiscing with family and friends. Entwined with good conversations, the enjoyment and pleasures of good food and music to dance to, while engrossed with seeing others enjoying themselves. She had a remarkable and phenomenal memory and could quickly and vividly recall much of her life; she remembered people she met and talked to, their full names and faces, events, locations, and so many birthdays of others. She was beautiful, intelligent, and self-educated woman who never gave up on life or it’s challenges. However, most importantly, she was known to be a God-loving, kind, honest, sweet, thoughtful, caring, generous, loving daughter, Mom, Aunt, Sister, Grandmother, cousin, niece, and friend. Joan was an avid reader and a life-long learner; she attended college courses with her husband during the time Robert J. Dumas Sr., while they were raising their small children. She would later purchase a set of hard bound encyclopedia books that she shared with her children. She especially enjoyed reading the Holy Bible. Over the years, she enjoyed attending various church services to worship God, pray, to read her bible, and spend time with other fellow Christians. Her life was a living example to her children, family, and friends, of her favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 — "And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.". She was also known to be an honest and genuine woman who loved to laugh, smile, and tell exciting, engaging, and colorful true stories. Joan would tell people the truth even when they did not want to hear it; however, it was never malicious. She provided wisdom and understanding to all that were willing to listen. She was a loving, caring, giving, and compassionate woman. She loved animals; she had many pets that she loved and took care of over the years, including, but not limited to, a parrot, several dogs, cats, and parakeets. Joan was giving and selfless; she would give the shirt off her back if she felt that it was needed. Joan was nothing less than a Giver and loved giving gifts or treats to those whom she loved and/or favored. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and appreciated small gestures from people, such as bringing her sweet treats on special occasions and an occasional buttered bagel with coffee. She loved crossword puzzles, wordsearch books and loved to work with colored pencils. Joan loved and appreciated going to the beach to fish, swim, and relax. On Long Island, she would often go to the beach with her siblings, nieces, nephews, and with her then companion, Ransy "Big Ransy" Simmons and their children. Joan especially enjoyed spending time with her beloved nieces who she fondly loved and admired, and she will forever be known to them as their Aunt, friend, a sister, and confidante’. She spent many good times and several joyful moments in the life of them all. Joan loved taking car rides with them to visit family, reminisce, and get together to share in one another’s company. The fourth out of five siblings, Joan is predeceased by her Sisters, Lois Squires Brown and Margo L. Scott; Brother Frank E. Scott; and her youngest Son, Ransy "LR" Simmons. Joan leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory, her four living children; three sons, Daniel "Danny" Dumas (Kisha), Robert "Mao" Dumas (Sheila), Terrill Simmons; and one daughter, Kasha Dumas Shelton (Andra). Joan also leaves one brother, John (Butch) Scott; 11 grandchildren (Daryl Dumas, Robert "Lil Rob" Dumas, Kyle Dumas; David Shelton, Isaiah Shelton, Desmond Dumas, Amari Simmons, Ransy "Little Ransy" Simmons, Makayla Dumas, Dylan Shelton, Samiyah Dumas; 2 great-grandchildren, Mariah Dumas, Janelle Dumas; as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends and she will be greatly missed by US all.