Stephen Edward Simmons went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at CHI St Vincent Hospital Hot Springs, AR surrounded by his family.
Born May 3,1947 in Upland California, he was the son of the late Earl Dean, and Esther Leona Kennedy Simmons.
He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and, and antique, and muscle cars, particularly the Chevrolet Corvairs.
Preceding him in their home going was his Mother Esther L. Kennedy Salzman, Jackie Earl Simmons and his Father Earl D. Simmons, his Grandfather Edward Simmons, and Mary Lea Simmons, and his Aunt Vera Kennedy Clifton, and his Uncle Jay Kennedy.
He is survived by his Wife Betty J. Blackwell Simmons, his Son Alan Price Simmons, and his Wife Angela, his Daughter Jerusha L. Simmons McKinney, and her husband Tim McKinney, and three Grandchildren: Alexis A. Simmons Hallman, and husband Andrew, Adam P. Simmons (Hannah Wilson), and Brody C. McKinney, one Sister Pam Andrews and her husband Dave Andrews and one Brother Gary Simmons and his wife Tami Simmons, whom he loved more than they know.
Retired telephone technician from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company with 32 years service as Switchman, telephone installer, exchange repairman, cable repair technician, customer service technician and shop steward for Communications Workers of America. Also joining the United States Navy on August 10, 1964, retired Navy, and Navel Reserve serving our country for 24 years as Petty Officer 2nd class Aviation Machinist Mate Jets, ADJ-2, for his first 16 years, and as first class Petty Officer, Construction Mechanic, CM-1, until his last eight years to retirement in 1992. He received several commendations during his Navy career, among them were his accomplishment of "Air Crew Wings" flying in the C-130 Hercules, the C118 DC-6 Lift Master, the C-2 Greyhound, the SP-2H Neptune, and the P-3C Orion. He was awarded the CB Combat Warfare Award for his service and training with the Marine Corps, and proficiency with the M-16 semiautomatic rifle, and the 45ACP side arm. He retired with the Navy commendation of the "Most Outstanding Sailor of the Change of Command Inspection of NMCB-28 in Gulfport Mississippi in 1992. He also served in the chaplaincy office of NMCB-28 Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City LA. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite mason, Sir Knight in the Commandry in the York Rite, twice Past Master, of El Dorado Lodge#13, and the Mt. Moriah Lodge #18.
"Forsaking all these things for the cause of Christ!!!"
On the 23rd of May 2007 he was ordained to the Gospel Ministry under the authority of Bible Baptist Church in El Dorado Arkansas. Served as a deacon at Bible Baptist Church for 17 of the 19 years there and then surrendered to the mission field to the BEAMS (Bible Education and Missionary Service) ministry, and to supply preaching, counseling, and teaching. He taught the Jr. boys Sunday school class, then the Senior boys SS Class, then the young couples class, and sometimes the "Little Children's" class, what a blessing!
He taught the Seniors Sunday School class at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Malvern AR, for six years, and served in the bus ministry before becoming seriously ill.
His last desire is to see souls saved, and lives changed, and last wish that his Son, and Daughter, Grandsons, and Granddaughter, their Wives and Husbands, and family would never forget the Lord, and see him again in heaven some wonderful day.
He gives humble thanks to his Grandfather Edward (Eddy) Simmons for never giving up on him, and never forsaking him, and looks forward to the great reunion in Heaven to see him again into eternity.
He gives humble thanks Pastor J.D. Weido, and family, for his loving influence on a two hurting souls in their most troubling times, and thanks him for his heart for Missions, and the compassionate preaching, counseling, and encouragement, and soul winning. It was that same influence that changed his life to Victory in Jesus.
He gives humble thanks to Pastor Jon Horton for his soul stirring preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, soul winning, outreach in the bus ministry, and his great influence preaching, and teaching the Word of God. He does not say these things in flattery, but in true Christian Spirit.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2024 at Young's Funeral Directors.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Bible Baptist Church with Dr. J.D. Weido officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Simmons family.
