Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada for Robert Hugh Simmons, 87, who died from natural causes on Sunday, Jan. 21, in Grenada. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery in Tillatoba. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service on Thursday, Jan. 25, at McKibben and Guinn.
Robert was born on Dec. 21, 1936, in Tillatoba, the son of the late Robert Silas Simmons and the late Ruby Bratton Simmons. He attended school in Oakland before going to work on the family cotton farm. He joined the United States Army Reserve in the late 1950s, and then started to work at The Hosiery Mill where he met his wife, Gloria Ann Collins. They were married on Oct. 15, 1960. Robert studied and opened his own plumbing business, Robert Simmons Plumbing and Electric, in Grenada in the mid- to late 1960s. He worked as a plumber in the Grenada area, including on several local water systems for more than 47 years.
Robert was always working, whether on a plumbing job, tending to his garden, caring for his horses or fixing a broken tool or toy. He believed in working hard and treating people right. He was able to make his children feel safe and valued with a calming presence and a quiet strength and dignity that transcended words. Through example, he taught his children what it meant to be a hard worker, a loyal friend and a loving parent. His simple, but exemplary life spoke for him.
Robert loved spending time with his family and delighted in recounting stories of his youth at family gatherings. He loved holding his grandchildren and great grandchildren in his lap. His crystal blue eyes and his infectious smile brightened up any room. He loved to laugh, especially at himself. He placed great value on a good joke. One of his finest qualities was his patience: an inherent ability to listen, to absorb and to offer a point of view based on a quiet, measured wisdom.
And now, through our tears, we celebrate Robert’s life, though sad that he is no longer with us. The memories of his decency, sincerity and kind soul will stay with us forever, and we are grateful for the blessing of knowing and loving him – a great and noble man – and the best husband and father a son or daughter could have.
In addition to his parents, four siblings, Ellen Mitchell, Lloyd Simmons, Jay Simmons and James Simmons, preceded Robert in death.
Survivors include, his wife of 63 years, Gloria Ann Collins Simmons; daughter, Cindy Wood (Craig) of Brandon; sons, Rob Simmons (Laura) of Navarre, Fla., and Samuel Simmons (Brooke) of Oxford; sisters, Ollie Dogan of Grenada, Hazel Harris of Grenada, Linda Jones of Brandon, Betty Osbarn of Charleston, Patricia Lindley of Tillatoba and Gail Williams of Gore Springs; brother, Wayne Simmons of Senatobia; grandchildren, Hannah Leigh Moses, Jake Bush, Katie Letteri, Taylor Thompson, Robert Simmons III and Mae Collins Simmons and great grandchildren, Nichele Bush, Ainsley Bush, Oliver Letteri and Silas Letteri.
Dody Allbritton, John Bennett, Ben DeHart, Mark Harville, Loyd McGonagill, Ronnie Mitchell, Rodney Murphy, Eddie Simmons and Robert Simmons will honor Mr. Simmons by serving as pallbearers and will carry him to rest in the Union Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank all the staff at Providence Assisted Living and Adoration Home Health/Hospice for the care and support shown to Robert and his family during his time there.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada is in charge of arrangements.
