Larry Simmons Obituary

Mr. Larry O’Neal Simmons united with us as a loving son on April 4, 1953, to the late Leon Steveson and Eveliena Samuel Simmons. He joined the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church family as a child and later became a deacon and active brother in Christ at First Church of God and Christ, where he took pride in serving. Like his dad, he carried the New Testament in his pocket for words of comfort. He attended J.H. Rowe ISD and was among the first Black class to integrate the Jasper High School. He was always neatly dressed in well-polished shoes. He was employed with Keller Industries of Woodville, Texas, and later became a loader operator with Kyles and Sells, where he was known as “Hard Timer”. He continued in logging until his health began to fail. In his sick bed he still spoke of cutting timber outside his window. God blessed Larry to share forty-eight years with his devoted wife, Annie, at his side as both spouse and caregiver.

Three siblings preceded him in death, Mable Galloway, Leon Edward, and Lela Simmons.

Larry leaves cherish memories: his wife, Annie; daughters, Charmaine (Sheldon), Tinelle (Rickey), and Cicely (Madison); sons, Shandelle (Cordelia), Rodriques (Pam), Zerrick (Natalie), and O’Neal; twenty grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother who held him dear to heart, Emery (Lola) Simmons; four sisters, Evelyn Simmons of Arlington, TX, Annette, Bailey, Glenda (C.J.), and Helen (Anthony) Collier, all of Jasper, Texas; one aunt, Willie McFarland of Los Angeles, California; two uncles, William (Mary) Samuel of Newton, Texas, and Joe (Ella) Samuel of Missouri City, Texas; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.