Mr. Simmonds was the son of the late Alphonso and Albertha DeCastro Simmonds. He was a U. S. Army Veteran, retiring with 26 years of dedicated service who served during WWII, and with the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts. He was also a security guard with Security Engineers of Columbus. Mr. Simmonds was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Paschal Simmonds, his siblings.

Surviving are: two daughters, Eleine Price and Joyce Bradley (Rannie); two sons, J. C. Smith (Gayla) and Simmeon Simmonds; five grandchildren, Wylene Moore (Harrice), Byron Lucien (Faye), Bernard Price, Joycelyn Smith and Tiffany Gray; a devoted nephew, Auslin Hassel; devoted nieces, Audrey Parson, Nadine Jackson, Lynn McNeal and Leann Gibbs; a host of other relatives and friends.