James Elton Simmons

James Elton Simmons departed this life on September 23, 2018, at the age of 83 years, 4 months, and 14 days. He was born in Wayne County, Tennessee on May 9, 1935 to the late John Wesley and Pearl Mae Howell Simmons. On April 13, 1963, he was united in marriage to Betty Irene Deshazier, who preceded him in death on October 25, 2017.

James had worked for Crown Cork & Seal in Chicago, Illinois as a forklift driver. He later moved to Savannah, Tennessee in 1990. James was an animal lover and enjoyed playing music - he could play many instruments. He loved fishing and squirrel hunting. He enjoyed trading items at the flea markets and pawn shops. James loved spending time with his family the most.

He leaves behind daughters, Marilyn Kay Alexander and her husband Keith, Deborah Gannon and her husband Doug, all of Savannah, Tennessee, Doris Ann Cimon and he husband Ken of Tupelo, Mississippi, Brenda Sue Barnett and her husband Calvin of Pontotoc, Mississippi, and Donna Simmons of Texas; sons; John Walten Simmons and his wife Jennica, and Jeffrey Boyd Clay, all of Savannah, Tennessee; 17 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; nieces; Barbara Moore and her husband Richard, Jennifer Frazier and her husband Glenn, and Shirley Lamb and her husband Gill; and nephews, Billy Turnbo and his wife Debbie, and Jimmy Whitehead and his wife Flora.

In addition to his parents and wife, James was preceded in death by one son, James Elton Simmons, Jr.; one sister; Mary Nell Turnbo; and 2 half sisters.