Samuel Scott Simmons Jr.

Samuel Scott Simmons, Jr., 34, died Saturday, July 6, 2024 after losing a heroic battle with a drug-resistant lung infection.
Born in Greenville, he was the son of Samuel Scott Simmons, Sr. and Susan Clary Simmons.
Samuel was a graduate of JL Mann High School and earned an associate degree at Greenville Technical College. He was a member of Greenville's First Presbyterian Church and the Gathering Sunday Life Group. Samuel treasured home and family, games and conversations, reading and movies. He was a poet, a Lego-builder extraordinaire and an unbeatable trivia buff. He loved exploring new places and trying exotic foods (especially desserts).
Samuel's premature birth at 28 weeks led to multiple health issues that he faced with perseverance and courage. His legacy will not be in fame or fortune – none of the things this world calls important – but in the love he poured into family and friends, his appreciation for the smallest pleasures (ice cream at Clare's Creamery, homemade pizza every Friday), his prayers for the world (he grieved over wars everywhere), and his deep trust that God held him in the palm of His hand.
Samuel's favorite hymn from childhood was "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," and we rejoice that he is doing so now, drawing lungfuls of pure heavenly air in a body no longer broken. He has fought the fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).
In addition to his parents, Samuel is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Stephen James Simmons and Karla Katibah Simmons; grandmothers, Betty Clary Usher and Anna Dunlap Simmons; aunts and uncles, Brad and Beth Simmons, Lisa Clary, Harry Leaf, and Edie and Brian Brewer; and cousins, Austin Simmons, Katy Burdine, Isabelle Leaf, Whitney Hamm, Erika Lenzi and Kelly Dean.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. followed by a visitation at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to YMCA RECESS at https://www.ymcagreenville.org/programs/outreach-development/recess or to the Applied Theater Center at https://appliedtheatrecenter.org.
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Samuel with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Leave A Message, Share A Memory" below.