Ralph Carl Simmons

Ralph Carl Simmons, 98, of 1211 12th St. Weston went home to be with the Lord at 11 am Monday, May 27, 2013 while in the Crestview Manor Nursing Home in Jane Lew. He was born September 16, 1914 in Gilmer County, the second born son of Howard Lee and Shada Ocean Wiseman Simmons. He is survived by his current wife and travel companion, Shirley Fisher Simmons, whom he married on March 19, 2011 after dating since 2003. He had one step-son, Ray Fisher of Weston, one step-daughter, Debra Frandza and husband Phil of Lanoka Harbour NJ and one step-granddaughter, Rebecca Frandzia. He was previously married to Bonnie Fultineer Simmons on February 14, 2000 until her death in 2002 after the passing of his wife of 47 years, Goldia Gay Radcliff Simmons, whom he married on June 1, 1951 officiated by Reverend Ralph Mahoney. Together they had one daughter, Ginger Prince Simmons Bailey (husband Fred) of Jane Lew. His daughter and son-in-law gave Ralph and Goldie three grandchildren who were the love of their lives: Tabitha Michelle Bailey, and husband David Mostofi, Travis Allen Bailey and wife Suzanne Yountchi , and Tori Beth Bailey Burnworth and husband Brandon Burnworth. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Addison Bailey Mostofi, Alec Keshvar Mostofi, and Aaron August Burnworth; one brother-in-law, Lester Messenger; and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Mr. Simmons was a heavy equipment operator for most of his life, specializing in dozer work. He was instrumental in the development of the Bluefield and Cabell County airports through dozer operations on each site. He worked in road construction in Ritchie County where he met his wife Goldia in the late 1940's and again in the early 1960's where he worked on Interstate 80 in Stroudsburg PA before returning to work in the strip mining industry where he worked for Keely Coal Co., Grafton Coal Co., and King Knob Coal, from which he retired in the spring of 1977 as a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He also worked for a short time in the deep mines and timber/sawmill operations with his father in Gilmer and Tucker counties in his younger years where he purchased his first dozer. Ralph was an avid hunter and fisherman, working with the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club in his earlier years. He loved going fishing and camping with family and friends, especially his good fishing buddy, John Anderson. He adored his grandchildren and took great pleasure in supporting their athletic events and playing badminton and kickball with them in the backyard. God blessed him with 36 years of retirement to share time, travel and life experiences with family and friends. He attended the Broad Street United Methodist Church (former E.U.B Church) on Broad St. Weston after moving to Weston in 1955 from Ritchie County. Friends may call at the Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service at 144 Hackers Creek Rd. in Jane Lew from 12-5 pm Sunday June 2, 2013. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday from the Pat Boyle Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Clifford West and Reverend Richard Justice officiating. Interment will follow in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Weston. The Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service is honored and privileged to serve the Simmons family. Online condolences may be made at www.patboylefuneralhome.com.