George H. Simmons

George Hall 'Buddy' Simmons, 79, a resident of Progress, MS, died October 12, 2010 at Cardiovascular Institute of Mississippi in McComb. He was born August 6, 1931 in Tichenor, Arkansas. He was the son of Walter, Sr. and Caro Miller Simmons. His family moved to Progress in 1937. He was a graduate of Progress High School and Mississippi State University. He was retired comptroller for McMillan-Bloedel in Magnolia. He was a member of Progress Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and was a member of the Silver Springs Masonic Lodge # 410 F&AM and was a Gideon. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Walter Simmons, Jr. and two sisters, Anne Simmons and Margaret Simmons Easley. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Betty Shelton Simmons of Progress; niece, Allison Easley Connally of Houston, TX; nephews, Jonathan Easley of Houston, TX and Matt and Fleet Simmons of Coaling, AL; a sister-in-law, Mary Shelton Rogers of Tuscaloosa, AL; niece, Suzanne Rogers Richardson of Hoover, AL; nephew John Shelton Rogers, of Athens, AL; brother-in-law, James Shelton and wife, Charlotte, niece Jeanne Silliman and nephews, Thomas and Jerry Shelton, all of Tuscaloosa. Visitation is Friday at Progress Baptist Church from 10AM until services at 11AM with Revs. Bob Lynch, Josh Morea and Billy Ray Simmons officiating. Burial with Masonic rites will be in Progress cemetery. Mr. Simmons' nephews will serve as pallbearers and Deacons of Progress Baptist Church and members of the Silver Springs Masonic Lodge will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Progress Baptist Church, 5027 Mt. Herman-Progress Road, McComb, MS 39648.