Andrew Graydon “Buddy” Simmons Jr., 86, of Courtland went to be with his Heavenly Father Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at his home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon today, July 14, 2016 at Courtland Baptist Church. The funeral will follow at noon with Brother Scottie Letson, Brother Sam Wallace, Brother Ed Davis and Brother Marvin Gillespie officiating. Burial will be in East Lawrence Memory Gardens. Lawrence Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Buddy was born Aug. 12, 1929 to the late Andrew Graydon Simmons Sr. and the late Annie Louise Dannelley Simmons in Monroeville. He served as Deacon for 43 years at Courtland Baptist Church and retired from Monsanto. Buddy also served as CEO of the Wheeler Station Hunting Preserve.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Sally and Patsy, and two great-grandsons.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Kathryn Lambert Simmons; three sons, Graydon (Kathy), Dan (Susan) and John (Donna); five grandchildren, Ed Simmons, Andrew Simmons IV (Brandy), Autumn Burns (Cody), Katie Simmonos (Thomas) and Aleshia Melson (Chad); and five great- grandchildren, Kate Orvis, Gray Griffith, Landry Hooper, Emory Burns, and A.G. Simmons V “Little Andrew.”
Pallbearers will be Graydon Simmons, Andrew Simmons, Dan Simmons, Ed Simmons, Joe Beech, Chad Melson, Maurice Taylor, Ralph Morris and Boyd Reding.
Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Courtland Baptist Church, Rudy McCarley, Clarence Logston, George Wendling Jr., Daniel Morgan, Dewight Crow, Kenny Reding and Jeremy Reding.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Courtland Baptist Church or Hospice Compassus.
The family would like to express gratitude to Amanda and Miera of Hospice Compassus for the kindness and love shown to Big B and Gran during this difficult time.
