John Audry Simmons

Funeral services for John Audrey Simmons age 77 of the Zion Hill Community will be held at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 2:00 P.M. Saturday March 28 , 2009 with Revs. Randy Penney, Jimmy Simmons and David Gatlin officiating. Masonic and Military committal services will be at Zion Hill Cemetery. Mr. Simmons went to be with the Lord Wednesday March 25, 2009 At Henderson Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born August 13, 1931 in the New Salem Community in Rusk County was a 50 year member of Pine Hill Lodge # 95 A.F.& A.M. and Park Place # 1172 as well as Past Master of the Pine Hill Lodge. John was a career First Class machinist, owner of S&W Tool Co. and retiring with Boral Brick of Henderson. Sgt John Simmons served proudly in the U.S. Army 13 th Battalion in Korea. Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by parents W.A. Simmons, Mary Etta Morris Simmons and Lura Norman Simmons. Aunts, Myrtle Acker , Florence McGehee and Betty Hawkins. Brothers and Sisters George Morris Simmons, Jack Lewis Simmons , William Ralph Simmons and Charlie Ray Simmons. Survived by his wife of 57 years Opal Griffith Simmons, Daughters and Sons in laws Donna Elise Howeth and Carlton, all of the Zion Hill Community , Rhonda Faith Keeling and Kenneth of the Jumbo Community. Grandchildren, Amber Elise Zarazinski of Zion Hill , John Kenneth "Jake" Keeling and Jordan Ivy Keeling of the Jumbo Community . Grt grandchildren, Colby James Whatley and Dawson John Zarazinski. Brothers and sisters, Juanita James of Cleveland , Ina Rowell, Roy and Marie Simmons, Syble and Bob Looney, Norman and Diane Simmons, Judy and Wayne Gilstrap all of Henderson and Michael and Carolyn Simmons of Huntington.Surviving sister in laws Barbara Simmons and Betty Penny of Henderson, Lorene Crow of Grand Prairie, Willene Hays of the Zion Hill Community and Jaunice Griffith Silvertooth of Kilgore. Host Of Nieces , Nephews Family and Friends. Visitation from 5 to 8 P.M. Friday at Rader Funeral Home of Henderson. Pallbearers will be Wayne Gilstrap, Neal Simmons, Jack William Simmons, Roy Lee Simmons, Johnny Simmons, Jeremy Simmons, Steve Crow, and Rodger Hays. Honorary Pallbearers will be Men of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Ralph Pool, Joe Watts, Larry Sparks, Billy Jean Simmons, Ben Wigand, Kevin Plaster and the Pine Hill Masonic Lodge # 95 A.F. and A.M. To sign the register on line please go to raderfh.com

John Audry Simmons

August 13, 1931 - March 25, 2009