Ralph Terrell Simmons

Ralph Terrell Simmons (Col. U.S. Army, ret.) passed from this earth to the blessings of a Heavenly home on Sept. 14, 2015, after a valiant fight with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Ralph was welcomed into this world on Jan. 27, 1933 by his parents Colby (C. D.) and Linnie Cockrell Simmons, and by older brother Charles E. Simmons. All of them predeceased him. He was a life-time member of First Baptist Church in Laurel, growing up through Sunbeams, Royal Ambassadors, B.T.U. and V.B.S. He was baptized by the Rev. Lewis Gee Gates. He served his church in many ways throughout the years. As a teenager he ran the controls for services to be aired on radio, and then much later he taught Sunday School classes for shut-ins on television. He sang in the choir, served as a deacon and was chairman of the Building Committee for the Laurel FBC Family Life Center. Ralph’s education consisted of Lamar Elementary, Stewart M. Jones Jr. High and George S. Gardner High School. He then graduated from Mississippi Southern college with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was of member of Kappa Alpha social fraternity, and Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honorary societies. He participated in ROTC, and as a 2nd Lt. then 1st Lt. he served two years active duty in the Army, being stationed at Fort Sill, OK and Fort Bragg, NC. Showing great potential he was offered the opportunity to attend Finance School, which he accepted. He was then assigned as Finance Officer at a base in Orleans, France. Ralph continued in the Army Reserves until he retired as a Colonel. Jobs were scarce when Ralph finished his active service, and after a couple of years working with an Army buddy at his father’s car dealership, Ralph began his business career with Northern Electric Company. He served the company for 32 years through several name changes, and traveled extensively as Treasurer, then as V. P. of Sunbeam Oster. After retirement, Ralph was co-founder and served on the Board of the First National Bank of the Pine Belt. Ralph was a very active alumni of Mississippi Southern University, at one time serving as President of the World-Wide Alumni Association. He was a member of the USM Hall of Fame. He was a giving person, not only to USM but to several other colleges including Jones County Jr. College where he served on the Board of Directors and William Carey University. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and was Lt. Gov. of the La.-Ms.-West Tenn. District of Kiwanis International. The Laurel Kiwanis Club honored Ralph by naming the Most Pancake Ticket Sales plaque in his honor. He was President of the Laurel Sertoma Club and was also honored by the Junior Auxiliary League as “Humanitarian of the Year.” He supported many charities, including the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and the Wounded Warrior Project. He loved his family, as well as his many close friends and their families. Surviving him are: his sister Doris Simmons Whitcomb and husband Glenn (loved like a brother) of Baytown, TX; his nephew and four nieces: Patrick Simmons of Biloxi, MS; Laurel Simmons Hill (and husband Bruce) of Tylertown, MS; Kay Lynn Whitcomb; Nancy Whitcomb Hall (and husband Mark) of Baytown, TX; and Betsi Whitcomb Johnson (and husband Heath) of Dripping Springs, TX. Ralph’s relationships with his two great nieces and four great nephews was much closer than most. With love and support: Rachel Hill of Tylertown; Whitney Hall, Hunter Whitcomb Hall and Garrett Simmons Hall of Baytown; Colt Johnson of Tulsa, OK and Case Whitcomb Johnson of Dripping Springs. Ralph received wonderful care during his battle with ALS from Dr. Jack Evans, who supported him medically, spiritually and as a friend. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to him as well as to Ralph’s steadfast friends who came to see him almost every day. The family also wants to give their deep appreciation to K&A Divine Caregiving Service and individual care givers: Ketrenia Hare, Evelyn McAdoo, and Johnny Cooley. Without their loving care Ralph would not have been able to stay in the home he had lived in since he was ten years old. Services will be 2:00 pm Saturday Sept. 19 at Memory Chapel in Laurel, with visitation at 1:00 pm. Dr. Randy Turner will lead, with special music by Mark Hall and Jonathan McKenzie. Pallbearers: Randy Moore, David Rice, Noel Rogers, Bob Gholson, Lowell Howell, Bob Pierce, Grayson Lacey, Kent Holifield, John Randall Moore, Charles Lightsey, Michael Cudworth and Mit Cole. Honorary Pallbearers: His Sunday School class, members of Kiwanis club and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, please honor Ralph with donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Salvation Army.

Ralph Terrell Simmons

January 27, 1933 - September 14, 2015