Rodney Franklin Simmons, 79, was born April 27, 1945, and died peacefully at home April 11, 2025.
He is preceded in death by his father, Frank Simmons Jr., his mother Shirley McCullar Simmons, his ex-wife Sylvia Busby Simmons, his sister-in-law, Monica Acuña Simmons, and his grandson Franklin Shelby Simmons.
He is survived by his brothers Alan McCullar Simmons (Janet) and Steven Liddon Simmons (Monica); his children Franklin Sheperd Simmons (Tera), Shelley Simmons Archie (Les), and Salem Simmons Sellars (Rodney); his grandchildren Erin Taylor, Ward Simmons, Audrey Simmons, Leslie Miller Archie, Mary Liddon Archie, Chad Archie, Christopher Davis, and Juli Peterson; his dogs Spooky and Chong; and his cats Doja and Lambert.
When Rodney was just four years old, he inherited the Skylark Drive-In Theater from his great-grandfather BF Liddon. At that time Rodney was reported to be the youngest theater owner in America.
In high school, Big Rod was named “friendliest.” At Mississippi State, he double-majored in history and political science. He then earned a law degree from the University of Mississippi.
After practicing law for a short time, he devoted himself to running the drive-in. Later he launched Skylark Motors, a used-car dealership, and Rent-A-Wreck, the first rental car franchise in Corinth. Following those ventures, he paid the bills (barely) by repairing, washing, and detailing cars.
To Rodney, everything was interesting. Which is a dangerous trait if you’re trying to be productive. He’d regularly immerse himself in The Smithsonian, The Wall Street Journal, Road & Track, Coast To Coast radio, old family letters, just about anything.
Rodney had a sadistic sense of humor; he loved pranks and practical jokes. He was a talented artist and craftsman, delving into watercolor, plaster casting, woodworking, photography, and cartooning. He learned electricity and could wire an entire house. And he was especially known as a dauntless auto mechanic… a guy who could figure out (eventually) any foreign car you brought him.
Rodney loved all animals… so much so that he became a vegetarian the last 30 years of his life. But what he loved most were his dogs — those that lived with him, and those of the Starkville variety. Though a long-suffering fan of the maroon and white, he lived to see State ranked #1 for five weeks (in football), and win the school’s first national championship (in baseball).
Anxieties about public places kept Rodney at home for most of his adult life. But they didn’t keep him from being an unselfish host. He received visitors daily to discuss the news over a cup of coffee and a cigarette (or later, a pipe). He’d talk on the phone for hours with his kids and his buddies, both male and female. People called him “the friendliest man I’ve ever met,” “one of the most interesting people I’ve ever known,” and “a thinker and a stimulating conversationalist.” We think now he is conversing with his best friend John Burton Williams, listening to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon.
Rodney’s last words were not “Go to hell Ole Miss.” But he would’ve liked them to be.
In the end, Rodney’s greatest gift — and his example for all of us — was his ability to laugh at his problems, both large and small. He had his share, many of which were self-inflicted. Nevertheless, he was able to live his entire life on his own terms. Most of us would call that a remarkable success.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ASPCA, which Daddy contributed to monthly.
Online condolences can be left at memorialcorinth.com
Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
