Name: Visitation for Rev. Bennie Simmons Jr.
Start: 2017-11-03T17:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-11-04T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Guy & Allen Funeral Directors, Inc.

Rev. Bennie Simmons Jr. of Gary, Indiana was born March 25, 1948 a lifelong resident of Gary, Indiana. He graduated from Froebel High School class of 1966 and received a Bachelor of Arts from Moody Bible Institute and Indiana University. He was a Vietnam Veteran of the United States Navy and a former employee of the Gary Fire Department and Gary Steel Mill. Bennie accepted Christ as his Savior in August 1972. He founded The Church of Gary and was the first African American director of the Youth for Christ Campus Life Program for 15 years. Bennie received training in Evangelism from Billy Graham School of Evangelism. Bennie and his wife Willa founded the Youth Family Community Renewal Center (YFCR) serving Gary's youth and Project S.E.A.M. which is a program for at risk youth. On October 24, 2017 Rev Bennie Simmons Jr. made his heavenly transition. Bennie will be deeply missed by his wife Willa Mae Simmons; sister Sheila (Augustus) Carter, brothers Harold (Denise) Simmons, and Derrick (Debra) Simmons and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and his many children in the Lord. Visitation Friday, November 3, 2017 from 12-8:00p.m. Family hours 6-8:00p.m. at the Guy & Allen Chapel 2959 West 11th Avenue. Funeral Services Saturday November 4, 2017 at 11:00a.m. at Daniel Chapel AME Church located at 15250 3rd Avenue Phoenix, IL 60426.Interment Monday, November 6, 2017 at 11:00a.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Elmwood. IL.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Post-Tribune on Nov. 1, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Bennie Simmons

11 Entries

November 8, 2017

My deepest sympathies for your loss, May the God of all comfort bring your family peace . Romans 12:12

Barbara Gunn

November 6, 2017

Min. Bennie was always evangelizing. He will be truly missed. Sis. Willa, be comforted in knowing that he is with Jesus. Love you.

NATALIE "NAT" DANIELS

November 6, 2017

To Willa & extended family: Please accept my deepest, heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Bennie belonged to all of us, words are simply not enough for his life, Legacy & contribution to the Youth of Gary, including myself, and many other family members. So many fun memories from my teenage years that I will cherish forever. My prayer is that God will Comfort You & Keep you today and in the weeks to come. God Bless

TONI PRICE

November 5, 2017

MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS BUT I JUST HEARD THE NEWS YESTERDAY I SPENT PART OF MY LIFE LIVING A FEW DOORS DOWN FROM THE SIMMONS ON 17TH AVE LIVING WITH THE NELSONS I HADN'T SEEN BENNIE IN A WHILE BUT I HAD HEARD HE WAS SICK I'M SORRY TO SAY I NEVER MET HIS WIFE BUT SHEILA AND I WERE CLASSMATES AND REMAIN FRIENDS SO TO THE FAMILY BE STRONG AND KNOW THAT GODS LOVE AND OUR LOVE WILL ALWAYS SURROUND YOU REST WELL MY FRIEND

LOLA CATRON

November 4, 2017

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.Willa know that he is resting with the Lord sitting at the feet of Jesus.Sorry for your loss.My prayers are with you.

Kimberly Bell

November 2, 2017

I have known Bennie and Willa all my life...They have and will always be a inspiration for me and my growth in life and with the Lord. May you rest with now Bennie you will be missed dearly.

Georgia Robinson Bentley

November 2, 2017

Remembering my younger years at Greater St. James A.M.E. (Gary), I would have to remember Bennie and his family. Before he started his own church he was a dedicated and faithful member of Greater St. James and we will forever miss him and the wonderful memories he left. He was truly a good man and a Godly man.

Zerita & Jerome Robinson

November 1, 2017

Extending our sincere condolences to the
Simmons' Family. I knew Bennie in high school and he was always a gentlemen and a warm and caring young man. I had not seen Bennie in recent years but I do know that he was busy doing God's work. We thank God for your life and for all you did to help so many.

Rest in peace, my friend, your job is done.

November 1, 2017

Bennie, I have only him for about a year. He was a very interesting person. I knew his name before meeting him because his name was in the paper for doing good things in the City of Gary. He was truly committed to helping children and young people. He spent a great deal of time working with students at Westside during the last school year. Bennie would bring his crew in to talk to the students, but when he talked to the students, he would never leave out the gospel message of salvation. He lived by scripture passage that it is God's will that none perish but all come to knowledge of the truth. May God bless Bennie's life and all of the people that he helped along the way. May thoughts and prayers are with Willa and Bennie's family.

Katrina Moten

November 1, 2017

Rev Bennie and Sis Willa were such an important part of my salvation as a young lady, I came to know the whole family, Such wonderful people, Praying for the entire family

Myrtle Mateen

November 1, 2017

Praying for the family of Rev Bennie Simmons. May you find comfort in knowing we share in your grief. I have known Bennie for a very long time since we both attended Froebel School him coming out two years before me. He would say do not weap for me because I'm gone to receive my reward God has promised eternal life. I will keep each of you in prayer in the days ahead.

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results