Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Johnnie Simmons, Sr., July 11, 1926 - May 8, 2016, Saturday, May 21, 2016, 11:00A.M., Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 11-16th & Day Streets- Alexandria, Louisiana 71302, Rev. Roger L. Green, Sr., Pastor/Officiating

July 11, 1926- May 8, 2016
Saturday, May 21, 2016 11:00 A.M.

MouNT ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
11-16th & Day Streets Alexandria, Louisiana 71302
Rev. RoGER L. GREEN, SR., PAsToR/OFFICIATING

THE LIFE AND LEGACY
WHEN I WAS A CHILD {1 Corinthians 13:11}
hnnie Simmons, Sr. was born in Grayson, Louisiana on July 11, 1926 to the union of the late Albert and Paralee Leggins Simmons. He was the youngest of five children: Coleman "Brock" Brown, Joseph Simmons, Anderson (A.J.) Simmons, Sr., and Oneida Simmons Thomas. All of them preceded him e was also preceded in death by his beloved oldest daughter, Vicky Lynn Richardson and lovely goddaughter, Theda Mines Dyson.
TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON (Ecces/esiastes 3:1}:
Affectionately known as "Buddy" by his family and childhood friends, he attended Union Central High School in Caldwell Parish. Always thirsty for knowledge, he received his B.S. and Masters degrees from Southern University in Baton Rouge. He did further studies at the University of Denver and the University of Cincinnati. A consummate educator, he took great pride in sharing his knowledge with his students. His first teaching assignment was teaching Adult Education at his high school alma mater, Union Central. After a year, he moved to Alexandria where he taught mathematics at Peabody High School for twenty years. Upon retirement from teaching, he started a new career in banking with Security First National Bank (now Regions Bank). He enjoyed nineteen years of banking before retiring.
THEY SHALL BE ONE FLESH {Genesis 2:24}:
As a young man, he met and married his college sweetheart, Mackie Beatrice Jackson on September 4, 1948. To this union two children were born, Johnnie Ray, Jr. and Agatha Diane. A very loving and supportive husband and father, he worked hard and sacrificed much to insure his family's security, happiness and comfort. A couple who loved to do things together, he and his "bride" (as he loved to call her) were initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. respectively within two weeks of each other.
WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH {John 3:16}:
Brother Simmons accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by Rev. Florence Simmons at the Evening Star Baptist Church in Grayson, Louisiana. He later moved his membership to True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in Alexandria under the leadership of the late Rev. J. H. Hayes. While at True Vine he served as Deacon Board Chair, a member of the Finance Committee and a Sunday School teacher. He and his wife later moved their membership to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Donny Granvel. Brother Simmons served on the Finance Committee and the most recent chair of the Trustee Board and teacher for the Senior Men's Sunday School Class.
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS (John 14:13}:
His memory will forever be treasured by his devoted wife Mackie Jackson Simmons; his loving children, Johnnie, Jr. (Carolyne) of Atlanta, Georgia and Agatha S. Richardson of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren, Jonathan T. Simmons
(Estelita), Justin D. Simmons (Tarneshala}, Vincent J. Richardson & Cara Simmons Green (Breon}, Emile Richardson
(son-in-law}, New Orleans, LA; eight great grandchildren: Jordan, Jalen & Jonah Simmons; Kendal, Christian & Justin Simmons, II and Kingston & Carrington Green; one first cousin, Elijah Hearns, New Orleans, La; Booker T. Jackson (brother-in-law}, Mary Ruth Alexander (sister-in-law}, Thea Mines Smith (god-daughter) and a host of nephews, nieces, other cousins and friends.

Musical Prelude
Selection-"Every Praiseu ..................................................................................... Mt. Zion Choir
Scripture Readings ............................................................................................. Rev. S. Y. Brady
Old Testament-Psalm 90:1-10 New Testament-Revelations 21:2-10
Prayer .................................................................................................. Rev. George Dearborne
Solo .............................................................................................................. Bro. L. T. Nash, Jr.
Expressions ................................................................................................. {2 Minutes Please) Sunday School Superintendent ................................................................... Sis. Alice Stafford Deacon Board Chair ..................................................................................... Bro. David Smith Fraternity Brother ................................................................................ Bro. Larry Spottsville
Selection ............................................................................................................. Mt. Zion Choir
Family Tributes: Niece ......................................................................................................... Sis. Elnora Combs Nephew ............................................................................................... Bro. A. J. Simmons, Jr.
Resolutions & Acknowledgments ..................................................... Bro. Johnnie Simmons, Jr.
Recognition of Ministers
Solo ................................................................................................Sis. Tarneshala T. Simmons
Eulogy ................................................................................................... Rev. Roger L. Green, Sr.
Recessional

1 Corinthians 13:1..13
(NIVJ
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels~ but do not have love~ I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of
prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge~ and if I have
a faith that can move mountains~ but do not have love~ I am nothing. If I give all/ possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast~ but do not have love~ I gain nothing.
Love is patient~ love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast~ it is not proud. It does not dishonor others~ it is not self-seeking~ it is not easily angered~ it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects~ always trusts~ always hopes~ always perseveres.
Love neverfails. But where there are prophecies~ they will cease; where there are tongues~ they will be stilled; where there is knowledge~ it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part~ but when completeness comes~ what is in part disappears. When I was a child~ I talked like a child~ I thought like a child~ I reasoned like a child. When I became a man~ I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith~ hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Love,
JOHN
(Daddy, Grandfather; Great-grandfather; uuncle Buddy")

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Jonathan T. Simmons Justin D. Simmons Vincent J. Richardson
B. T. (Vernia) Jackson A. J. Simmons, Jr. Curtis Simmons Ronald Simmons Lavern Simmons Charles Miller

Grandsons & Great Grandsons
~f!Ja/f6eoi!R/M;
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated Mt. Zion M BC Trustees
Senior Men's Sunday School Class

Progressive Funeral Home 2308 Broadway Avenue Alexandria~ Louisiana

Breon D. Green Jordan T. Simmons Jalen K. Simmons
Phillip Alexander, Sr. Lester Alexander, Jr. Wayne Jackson, Sr. Raymond Brown Kenneth Jackson David Smith

Garden of Memories Cemetery Alexandria~ Louisiana

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Donny Granvel Family Life Center
Immediately Following Internment

There is such great comfort in the assurance that we are not alone in this hour of our loss. That assurance is made manifest by the many warm and sincere expressions of care and concern. Each kind deed makes real the promise of our Savior, "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." Please continue to keep our family lifted up in prayers in the days ahead. We love you, thank you and pray God's blessings upon you.
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Esther A. Williams, Linda Price and Mary Ruth Alexander, for their loving devotion and care. Charles Miller, David Smith and Larry Spottsville, for being such attentive good friends.
Dr. lnce & Staff and Sara Lito and Still Waters Hospice, for their professional kindness and care.
Brent's Desktop Publishing (318) 445-9120