Mr. Lonnie Simmons Jr.

March 18, 1929 - April 29, 2015

Statesboro, GA., Mr. Lonnie Simmons, Jr., the son of the late Lonnie Simmons, Sr., and the late Gertrude Cone Simmons was born March 18, 1929 in Statesboro, Georgia. He departed this earthly life on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the St. Joseph’s Hospital, Savannah, Ga. Mr. Simmons was educated in the public school system of Bulloch County and at the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Army, which he served for over 21 years of service before retiring in 1967. Mr. Simmons served as the first African American Correctional officer for the state of Georgia, and later served in various positions as an Alcohol and Addiction Counselor. He was retired from Pineland Mental Health and he retired from the state of Georgia in 1991. Mr. Simmons was a proud member of the John Wesley Lodge #161, served as chairman of Bulloch Alcohol and Drug Council, and was a life time member of the NAACP. He also served as Grand Parade Marshall for the 2015 Martin Luther King Day Parade. He received numerous awards such as, the John Moony Distinguished Service Award, the Deen Day Smith Award, many awards from the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles and many other community and civic awards. He was a member of the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Simmons leaves a legacy of love to be cherished by his children, Mrs. Gwendolyn (Johnny) Andrew, Trenton, NJ., Mrs. Ayanna “Sharon” (John) Shepherd, Burke, VA., Ms. Gertrude Simmons, Springfield, VA., Mrs. Bonita (Richard) Johnson, Statesboro, GA., Mrs. Michelle (Ollie) Troupe, Largo, FL., Mrs. Georgella (James) smith, Terre Haute, IN., Mr. Stuart (Rhonda) Rasor, Indianapolis, IN., Mrs. Victoria (Deundray) Robinson, Montgomery, AL. and Chris Frink, Statesboro, GA., a sister, Mrs. Julia Pearl Simmons, Statesboro, GA., a brother, the Rev. Hilton (Carrie) Simmons, Orangeburg, SC., fifth teen grandchildren, four great grandchildren, a host of other relatives and friends. Family visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ben Samuel Hill Memorial Chapel of Hill’s Mortuary, Inc. The funeral services for Mr. Lonnie Simmons, Jr. will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Elm Street Church of God, 29 Elm Street Statesboro, Ga.,the Rev. Alexander Smith, Jr., Pastor, Rev. E. Charles Lee, Eulogist. Burial will follow in the Bulloch Memorial Gardens with military honors. Mr. Simmons will lie in state of the day of service from 12:30 p.m. until the funeral hour. There will be no viewing after the eulogy. Online condolences may be expressed at hillsmortuaryinc.com Final rites have been entrusted to Hill’s Mortuary, Inc.