Stephen "Steve" Lawson Simmons

Stephen "Steve" Lawson Simmons, US Air Force veteran, passed away peacefully in his Bladenboro home, on Thursday March 20th. He was 82. He loved the Lord, loved his family and his friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawson P. Simmons and Mary Lee Hickman Simmons, and by a brother, Lawson “Pete” Simmons.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Carole Freeman Simmons, son David F. Simmons of Dublin, granddaughter Martha Ryan Simmons, grandson Henry Lawson Simmons, and two brothers, Bobby Simmons and Larry Simmons(Ava), both of Bladenboro. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces, including Kelly Bryant McLean (Buddy) of Ocean Isle Beach, who he referred to as his daughter, and who lovingly provided care in his last days, hours and minutes.

Steve was a hard working man, who only begrudgingly retired at the age of nearly 81. He will be best remembered as the owner of Diamond Dave’s Grill, a staple of the community, where he fed thousands of customers over the course of 27 years. Before that, he spent 25 years at Veeder-Root in Elizabethtown. He had the rare leadership skill of blending both fair and firm, resulting in many work associates calling him the best supervisor they ever had. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Bladenboro, serving as Deacon and in the adult choir. He was a member and Past Master of the Bladen Masonic Lodge 646, in Elizabethtown, NC.

In his younger days, he enjoyed drag racing with his brothers, and attending, listening to and watching NASCAR. He also loved junkyarding for Mopar cars and parts, with his cousin and best friend Jerry Sawyer.

Later in life, he and Carole enjoyed spending time with great friends, frequently dining out and taking rare vacations to the Outer Banks. But he especially relished watching and cheering on his adored grandchildren, being a fixture at hundreds of their various ballgames, all over North and South Carolina. He also took great pleasure in walking and babysitting his granddog Max.

The family will receive friends from 2-2:45pm on Monday, March 24th at the First Baptist Church in Bladenboro followed by a funeral service at 3pm. Reverend Charles Hester and Reverend Warren Hill will officiate the service. Burial will follow in the Galeed Baptist Church Cemetery in Bladenboro.