Dr. Earnest Simmons

SIMMONS, Dr. Earnest Calvin

Dr. Earnest Calvin Simmons was born to Benjamin and Evelyn Simmons on May 10, 1945, in Brunswick, Georgia. On October 15, 2024, he joined his Heavenly Father, becoming an angel to all who loved him. An Omega service will be held at 10:00 AM, at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, GA. The funeral will follow at 11:30 AM, at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, 805 Mount Vernon Highway, Atlanta.

After graduating from Risley High School in 1963, Earnest earned a B.S. in Biology cum laude from Albany State College in 1967. In 1964, he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., remaining a dedicated member for 60 years.

Following college, Earnest moved to Washington, DC, where he taught math before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as an Army Specialist in Korea, earning several honors. After his discharge in 1969, he returned to Washington to pursue a Master's in Zoology at Howard University. In 1974, he met Ursula Diane Boyd, and they married after he earned his Doctor of Medicine from Howard University in 1975.

Earnest and Ursula welcomed their first child, Tameka "Meka" Nachelle, in 1977, while living in Washington, DC. In 1979, the family moved to Marietta, Georgia, and two months later, their son, Earnest Calvin II, was born.

After returning to Georgia, Earnest established a family practice in his community, working nights to supplement the family's finances, while building the practice with Ursula. Together, they developed what was once recognized as the largest family practice in the Southeast. He remained steadfast in his commitment to keeping his practice accessible to underserved communities despite the long commute and numerous lucrative offers.

Throughout his career, Earnest held leadership roles on professional and civic boards. His lifelong commitment to family, friendship, and community will forever define his legacy.

In his final days, Earnest was surrounded by his loving wife, Ursula; daughter, Meka; son, Calvin; niece, Kelly; nephew, Antwon Little; cousin, Marilyn Reaves; LaSonya Griffie; and nieces, Mary, Kiara, and Victavier Matthews; along with close family friends.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and is survived by his loving wife, Ursula; daughter, Tameka; son, Calvin; siblings, Edith (Marietta, GA) and Larry (Brunswick, GA); and a host of adopted children, nieces, nephews, cousins, and Godchildren.