Celbration of Life For Mr. Richard Clem Simmons, March 8, 1944 - June 21, 2010, 2 Timothy 4:7, Friday, June 25, 2010, 11:00 A.M., Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30331, Reverend Richard D. Winn, Sr., Senior Pastor, Officiating

I hvefoagld fk goo4fWtf, lllavefmislled tile r~Ue, I have kept lllefWL 2 'filaotlty 7
Friday, June 25, 2010
11:00A.M.
Ben Hill United Methodist Church
2099 Fairburn Road, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30331
Reverend Richard D. Winn, Sr.
Senior Pastor, Officiating

06ituary
~ l__C_JQ_.ch_a_rc_fC_fe_m_S_im_m_o_n_s ~ ___.l
Beloved husband and father Richard Clem Simmons went home to be with the Lord on June 21, 2010. Richard was an unbelievable man who touched all of our hearts. If you knew Richard, you knew the definition of what a man was. If you knew Richard, you also knew that he was the kind of father that any man would strive to be.
Richard Clem Simmons was born March 8, 1944 to Mae and Clem Simmons in Elyria, Ohio. Richard graduated from Midview High School in Elyria, Ohio in 1962. He later attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. He married the love of his life, Corliss Elizabeth Hardy in 1966. They had three accomplished children, Michael, Aaron, and Tiffany. Richard was a pioneer and crossed racial lines when he became the first African American department store manager at J.C. Penney & Company in Elyria, Ohio. He then did it again by becoming the first African American department store manager at The May Company in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1987, Richard was relocated to Atlanta, Georgia and became the district manager for Richway Department Stores.
Richard was the definition of a family man. His whole world was centered around his family and loved ones. Richard and Corliss were not only best friends but their marriage lasted forty -four years. He enjoyed his six grandchildren, fishing, solitaire, crossword puzzles, the Home Depot, the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Falcons, British comedy and cooking. He loved the holidays and especially decorating for Christmas.
Richard was also a highly intellectual man who enjoyed learning every single day. Even though he was sick for fourteen years, he never gave up hope and determination to overcome his illness. He set an example for all of us to follow by sharing love, joy, peace and kindness. Richard never complained, not one day, about the obstacles and setbacks he had to endure. We entrust our hearts and our faith to the Lord to care for our beloved Richard, "Dickie" to some, until that great day when we shall see him again. Thank you Richard for your sixty-six years of service and more importantly the perfect love you gave to us.
He is survived by his wife, Corliss Simmons; children: Richard Michael Simmons (Pamela Simmons), Aaron Charles Simmons and Tiffany Brooke Simmons; beloved and only sister, Jean Ann Stacy and brother-in-law, Allen Stacey Jr.; grandchildren: Christopher Simmons, Brandon Simmons, Troy Simmons, Justin Simmons, Sabrina Simmons and Jordan Simmons.

PRELUDE PROCESSIO L

Order ofCefe6ration
R EV. RICHARD D. WI NN., SR., 0FFICIA T

OPE I GHYM ................ GREATIS T HY F AITHFUL ESS" .......................................HYM T#l40 MI ISTRY OF MUSIC

SCRIP

RE READI NGS:
P S ALM 91 . . . R E V. G I G I A . w AR R E N 0 0 0 0. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. 0. 0 0 0 0 0. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-7 .......... .. .. .. ............................... REV. DR. MICHAEL D. STINSO

P R AYE R . R E V . L E E P E ND L E T O N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. 0 0 0. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MI NISTRY OF M USI C (OBITUARY R EAD SILENTLY)

R EFLECTIONS & TRIB UTES :

F ORMER CLE RGY: F ORME R P ASTOR: B ROTHER I N L AW: FRIEND: D AUGHTER:

R EV. P AUL E ASLEY R EV. M CCALLISTE R HOLLINS M R . ALLEN STACEY, JR. M RS . W ANDA H ENDR IX Ms. T IFFANY SIMMONS

MINISTRY OF MUSIC....... .. ..... ...''HE' S P REPARING ME" ........... .............. ......D ARRYL COLEY

E ULOGY...... .......... .. . .. . ...................... R EV. SHARMA D . L EWIS, DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT A DOX D ISTRICT, NORTH G A ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MINISTRY OF M USIC

A CKNOWLE DGME T

R ECESSIONAL

INTERMENT BROOKDALE CEMETERY
ELYRIA, OH

Family Repast Immediately Following S ervice in the Fellowship Hall

I tliouglit ofyou witli [ove today 6ut tliat is notliing new
I tliouglit a6out you yesterday anddays 6efore tliat too,
I tliintofyou in sifence I often speatyour name fl[[I liave are memories andyourpicture in aframe
ry'our memory is my k.fepsak.f witli wliicli I'[[never part qodlias you in Jfis k.feping
I liave you in my lieart.

rr'o rr'liose I Love }lncfrr'liose Wlio Love ~e
When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things
to see and do, You mustn't tie yourself
to me with tears, Be happy that we had
so many years. I gave you all my love,
you can only guess, How much you gave me
in happiness. I thank you for the love each of you have shown.
But now it's time that I travel alone. So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must, Then let your grief be comforted by trust. It's only for awhile that we must part, So keep the memories within your heart. I won 't be far away,
for life goes on, So if you need me, call and I will come . Though you cannot see or touch me, I'll be near, and if you listen with your heart, you'll hear. All of my love around you,
soft and clear And then, when you must
come this way alone ... I'll greet you
with a smile and say-
"Welcome Home."

}fctive riJaff6earers
Eddie Compton Von Logan Jim Miller DK Vinson
Majestic Choir
Pfower atfies
Jewels & Partners Majestic Choir
WordS of}lppreciation
The promise of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us has been the greatest blessing during this time.
The second blessing has been the comfort of you, our family, friends, and health care professionals.
Our sincere and heartfelt thanks are extended to all of you or your prayers and various expressions
of support and encouragement to Corliss, and to us, consoling our hearts.
tffte Simmons Pami!y
PUullftrTangements P.ntrustetffJ'o:
. array Brothers Funeral Home, Inc.
ll991Jloy prillgs BOOt#, SW Aflanla, Georgia 30331 (404) 349-3000