Captain George Alvin Simmons U.S. Army (Retired)

Captain George Alvin Simmons, US Army (Retired) was the first born child of Roosevelt and Laura Etheredge on December 18, 1937 in Columbia, South Carolina. He transitioned to his heavenly home January 21, 2015 at the Pruitt Healthcare Facility in Ridgeway, SC after a triumphant Battle with dementia. George was “Paw Paw” to his beloved grandchildren. George was educated in the public schools of Richland County, Midlands Technical College, Northwestern State University of Louisiana and the National Insurance Adjuster School in Fort Polk, LA. He served his country proudly, voluntarily joining the United States Army as a teenager to help serve, protect and defend these United States of America. George always had a very strong work ethic and instilled the same work ethic and fiscal responsibility in his children and grandchildren. Cpt. Simmons defended his country honorably through two tours of duty in Vietnam. He earned the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman badge, Letter of Appreciation from the 101st Airborne Division, and Jump Wings (Ft. Campbell, KY). George was an Airborne Jumpmaster with over 400 jumps. He also served his Country as a Special Policeman with the Provost Marshall’s office at Fort Jackson and the United States Postal Service. He was a Gold Circle member of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, VFW Post 4262 and the American Legion Post 0215. After receiving an Honorable Discharge after 21 years of active duty, George established and operated Simmons Tax Service as a member of the National Association of Tax Preparers. He also was a licensed insurance claims adjuster and Correctional Officer for the SC Department of Corrections. George was united in holy matrimony to his devoted wife, Rheda M. Simmons, for 24 years. He was a faithful member of Zion Baptist Church, once chairing the Men’s Day Committee, and singing in the Male Chorus and the Arsenal Hill Circle. Cpt. Simmons is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Rheda M. Simmons, Children: George D. Simmons and Reggie Richardson, Columbia, SC; LaDawn Simmons, Charleston, SC and Monica (Carnell) Williams, Columbia SC. four stepchildren, Jeffrey (Marilyn) Doyle, Atlanta GA, Carl (Lawnie) Brewer, Los Angeles, CA, Camille Williams, Irmo, SC and Kelvin (Saves) Simmons, Winchester, TN; sisters, Joan Mobley and D’Andra L. Mobley, Columbia SC, and Gloria Jean Feagan, Michigan; brothers, Warren Simmons Sr. and Roosevelt Simmons Jr., both of Saginaw, MI; 20 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and host of family and friends. George was preceded in death by his parents, Roosevelt Simmons and Laura E. Mobley, grandparents, George Etheredge and Sarah Etheredge and Eugene and Irene Simmons, and two sisters, Sarah G. Richardson and Carol A. Mobley. Services for Captain George Alvin Simmons U.S. Army (Retired) will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 29, 2015 at Zion Baptist Church, (801 Washington Street). Interment with full Military Honors will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Palmer Memorial Chapel,

Captain George Alvin Simmons U.S. Army (Retired)

December 18, 1937 - January 21, 2015