Richard Earl Simmonds

Funeral services for Richard “Rick” Simmonds of Macon, MS will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Calvary Baptist Church in Macon, MS at 2:00 P.M. with Bro. Bill Ross officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Interment will immediately follow at Mashulaville Cemetery. Memorials are requested to be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Missions Fund 105 Dent Street Macon, MS 39341. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon, MS is honored to be entrusted with the service arrangements.

Rick Simmonds was born in Greenville, Illinois, where he grew up and graduated from Greenville High School. After graduation, he married Kathy Golder and together they chose to pursue a career in farming with his father, Harold Simmonds. They welcomed their first son, Bill, while living in Illinois. However, with the costs associated with farming in Illinois and the annual cold weather, the family decided to move south for better opportunities. They settled in the Mashulaville, Mississippi community where Rick immediately began to earn his place within the local community and with it’s residents by always being willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Rick and Kathy soon welcomed their daughter, Jodie, to the family. She was followed two years later by their second son, Tom. Rick was a good farmer who insured his farms' success through his hard work and dedication. The farming operation grew and in time transitioned from row crops to hay, timber management and logging operations, with Rick managing every aspect of the business. He also began farming fish, selling wood shavings, raising beef cattle, and even hosted a community garden on his property. Rick would often disguise work on the farm as “quality family time” with his children and taught them the benefits of hard work and attention to detail.

The next twenty years were spent earning a living and rearing their family with the help of God. Sadly Rick lost his beloved wife Kathy after a five year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). However, in 2003, a new chapter in Rick’s life began when he married Jeanette Patterson. Rick and Jeanette enjoyed their new life together along with their blended family, which grew quickly with the addition of spouses and grandchildren. Rick had a love for all children, but especially his grandchildren, whom he treated equally. He always found a way to make a special connection with each one. Rick accepted his role as leader and role model of both families. He was always willing to help in a trying time or to give a word of encouragement when needed and all of the family knew that they were able to confide in him. Rick was an outgoing person who loved people and was someone who was always ready to invest time and resources to help anyone going through a tough time. He took pride in knowing that he was always there when people needed him most. Rick was very active with Calvary Baptist Church and served his fellowship with community projects and mission opportunities. Not only did Rick talk about and proclaim the Word of Christ, but he lived it out through his daily actions. Rick will be sorely missed in his church and in his community, but he left a fine Christian example for each of us to follow.

Rick Simmonds is survived by his wife: Jeanette Gully Patterson Simmonds, of Macon and his mother: Beverly Simmonds of Madison, MS. He is also survived by his daughters: Jodie Brown (Bob) of Madison, MS and Jan Robinson (Mike) of Starkville, MS as well as by his sons: Bill Simmonds and Tom Simmonds (Heather), both of Starkville and Michael Patterson (Felicia) of Shuqualak, MS. Also left to mourn his passing are two sisters: Linda Blake (Mike) of Starkville and Diane Adcock (Kendall) of Madison as well as one brother: David Simmonds (Kim) of Madison, MS and eleven grandchildren:

Jon Michael (Daniele) Robinson, Milton Robinson, Hayden Patterson, Joe Patterson, Holley Dinsmore, Emma Patterson, Abigail Brown, Dalton Brown, Thomas Brodie Simmonds, Tate Simmonds and Titus Simmonds.

. He was preceded in death by his father: Harold Simmonds and his first wife: Kathy Golder Simmonds.