Melvin Kenneth "Butch" Simmons

Melvin "Butch" Kenneth Simmons, age 77, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 28, 1948.
Butch grew up in the Virginia Beach area and proudly served his country in the United States Coast Guard for four years following his high school graduation. After completing his service, he joined the Virginia Beach Fire Department, where he faithfully served his community for more than 30 years, serving at various stations throughout the city. He was among the first members of the department's Hazmat Team when it was established in the early 1990s.
After retiring from the fire department, Butch continued to enrich the lives of those around him-assisting his wife, Loretta, with her sewing business and teaching at the local prison, where he helped inmates learn life skills and valuable trades they could use upon release.
He married the love of his life, Loretta Thatcher, in a sweet, intimate ceremony held at their home on Witch Duck Road, surrounded by family and friends. Together they raised a blended family, creating a home filled with laughter, lively conversation, and countless adventures.
Seeking a quieter pace from city life, Butch and Loretta moved to North Carolina in 1990, first settling in Currituck County before making their home in Elizabeth City. They opened a sewing business in downtown Elizabeth City, later moving it into their home. For more than 20 years, if you had sewing done in the area, chances are it was done by them.
Ultimately, Butch will be remembered as a quiet pillar of strength, grounded in his faith in God.
Those who carry on his memory are his loving wife, Loretta; his children, Bobby, Laurie, John, Mike (Cheri), and Tara; his grandchildren, Crystal, Lindsey (Ashby), David Jr., Spencer, Austin, Victoria (Matthew), Hunter, Faith, and Joshua; and his great-grandchildren, Ava and Joshua. He was preceded in death by his brother, Shirley Miller.
A gathering to share memories of Butch will be held on Thursday, December 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Twiford Funeral Home, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. A graveside service with military honors and Virginia Beach Firefighter representation, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Colonial Grove Memorial Park, 3445 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Simmons Family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin "Butch" Kenneth Simmons, please visit our floral store.