Thomas E Simmons, Sr.

Mr. Thomas E. Simmons Sr., 90, died on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was born on July 4, 1930 in Longview, Texas to Mr. Thurman Simmons, Sr., and Ms. Halle B. Lilly.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents, a sister, Ms. Sophie Mae Simmons and a brother, Mr. Thurman Simmons, Jr.

He grew up in Longview, Texas and attended High School in Longview, Texas.  After High School he relocated to Kansas City, Missouri and began working for General Motors, transitioning to the Kansas City Housing Authority for many years, and ultimately working for Ryder School Bus Company and retiring in 2009.

Mr. Thomas E. Simmons was married to Mrs. Louise Bass and together they had six children, two girls and four boys.  This marriage was later dissolved.  Mr. Thomas E. Simmons met, and married Ms. Juanita Williams in November of 1981 and he became a stepfather to six children, three boys and three girls.  Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Simmons searched for a Church home and ended their search in November of 1981 at the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. B. W. Rucker, Senior Pastor.  Mr. Simmons has served at Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church for nearly 40 years and during those years he was elevated to the Deacon Board where he has served faithfully for over 30 years.  Mr. Thomas E. Simmons was committed to attending Church services regularly and did so until his health began to fail.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Mrs. Juanita Simmons of Grandview, MO, seven sons, Mr. Leon (Carmilla) Woods, Lee’s Summit, MO; Mr. James E. (Fredenalda ) Price, Blue Springs, MO; Mr. Robert C. Williams Jr., Lee’s Summit, MO; Mr. Thomas E. Simmons, Jr., Kansas City, MO;  Mr. Michael Dorch, Kansas City, MO; Mr. Frankie Dorch, Kansas City, MO; Mr. Kelvin L. Simmons, Liberty, MO; five daughters, Mrs. Angela D. (Elder Randal) Manning, Kansas City, MO; Ms. Doris J. Williams, Kansas City, MO; Mrs. Bobbie E. (Johnell) Davis, Raytown, MO; Ms. Tonya R. Simmons, Kansas City, MO; Dr. Edwina Mumpower, Florida; three brothers, Mr. Lee Earnest (Thomasine) Lilly, Longview, Texas; Mr. Clint Ray (Bell) Lilly, Dallas, Texas; Mr. Michael L. (Melva) Lilly, Longview, Texas; two sisters, Ms. Augustine Lilly, Marshall, Texas, and Mrs. May Frances (Earnest) Lilly-Coleman, Frisco, Texas; over fifty (50) grandchildren, six (6) great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and a very special nephew, Mr. Calvin (Pamela) Pierce, Lee’s Summit, MO; adopted family, Mrs. Kathy (Patrick) Venneman, Mrs. Angela (Jason) Shipps, Mrs. Mary (Greg) Martin, Ms. Jennifer Needs, and Mr. Clayton (Thu) Needs; three brother-in-laws, Mr. Herman (Trina) Price, Kansas City, MO; Mr. Johnny Price, Independence, MO; Mr. Dennis (Mikki) Price, Raymore, MO; five sister-in-laws, Mrs. Oma Dell (George) Robinson, Valdosta,Georgia; Mrs. Marriah (Frank) Smith, Kansas City, MO; Mrs. Polly Doyal, Grandview, MO; Mrs. Gloria J. Chrisman, Belton, MO; and Mrs. Ollie Bell Moss, Kansas City, MO; and two very special friends, Mr. John Erving, Kansas City, MO and Mr. Samuel Brown, Kansas City, MO.

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