Andrew Bejamin "Ben" Simmons

Andrew Benjamin "Ben" Simmons of Mt. Airy passed into the arms of his beloved Lord on April 23, 2013. Ben was born May 26, 1923, to the Rev. Charles and Bessie Scales Simmons, His marriage to Reba June Clark Simmons on February 23, 1942 began a 67year love affair interrupted by Reba's passing in February 2009. Ben was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church of the Wards Gap community of Mt. Airy. During WW II Ben served aboard USS Cockran (DE 366) and participated in numerous naval operations in the Pacific theater. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wendell, Aubrey, Perce, and sister Thelma. He is survived by his sister, Inez Cox of Mt. Airy; daughter and son-in-law Carol and Allen Semones
of Columbia, SC; sons and daughters-in-law Jerry and Diana Simmons of
Tucson, AZ, John and Patricia Simmons of Chesapeake, VA, Grayson and
Kaye Simmons of Mt. Airy, Billy and Libby Simmons of Chattanooga, TN,
and son Robert Simmons of Winston-Salem; grandchildren Robin Semones,
Laura Maxwell, Nichole Cooper, Paul Semones, Pamela Pomeroy, Wade Simmons,
Andrew Simmons, Aimee Simmons, Kevin Simmons, Amanda Gillespie,
Kris Simmons and Eric Simmons; and great-grandchildren Sarah, Ben, Jake,
Kassidy, Tyler, Elijah, Abigail, Zoe, Phoebe, Liam, Sebastian, Wimberly, Alec,
Grayson, Jayce, Kinsley, Emily, Sydney, Stella, Savannah, and Hadley. The family is grateful to the Bobby Shinault family and Teresa Hurd for their love and
compassion in assisting Ben at home during the final years of his life. The family wishes also to thank the wonderful medical and support staffs of Northern Hospital of Surry County and the Golden Living Center of Mt. Airy for their warmth and caring that allowed Ben to leave this mortal life in comfort and dignity. The family will receive visitors for a viewing to be held at Moody Funeral Home in Mt Airy on April 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held in the Moody Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2013. Interment will follow in Oakdale Cemetery of Mt. Airy with full Masonic rites conducted by Renfro Lodge # 691 AF & AM and full military rights conducted by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard Mt. Airy Post #2019 and Pilot Mountain Post # 9436. In keeping with Ben's charitable nature, if anyone so desires, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.