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Submitted: 1/8/20 • Approved: 1/9/20 • Last Updated: 1/12/20 • R244854-G0-S3
May 25, 1931 - April 30, 2000
Husband of Nan Pierson Simmons
Bogalusa Daily News
Ronald Burris "Ronny" Simmons
(died April 30, 2000)
FRANKLINTON - Ronald Burris "Ronnie" Simmons, age 68, died yesterday in Ochsner Foundation Hospital, New Orleans. He was born in Magnolia, MS., and moved to Franklinton in 1940. He was a successful merchant - third generation of merchants on both sides of his family. His grandfather was
one of the first members of Board of Directors of what was the Washington Bank and Trust Company. Mr. Simmons then became a member on the board of directors for the Washington Bank and Trust Company in 1981, and then a
member of the Hancock Bank of Louisiana board of directors.
As a member of the armed services, he was stationed at Fort Leslie J McNair in Washington, D. C. with the U.S. Army. He earned a BA degree from SLU and worked a year at LSU toward a master's degree. While at SLU, he received the Gertie Mims Award from the school of business and was listed in "Who's Who in Colleges and Universities". He took over Simmon's Department Store in 1955 and added the Squire Shop in 1970. The Fashionette was opened in 1962 and the Double-S Western Wear in 1980. He was co-chairman of Franklinton Centennial, past president of Franklinton
Chamber of Commerce and a past member of Lions Club. A longtime member of Centenary United Methodist Church, he served on the church administration board and was a member of the chancel choir.
He is survived by his wife, Nan Pierson Simmons; two sons, Ronald Jr. and Russell Allen Simmons, both of Franklinton; one daughter, Vanda Victoria Simmons Upton of Whitehouse Station, NJ; a brother, Hyman Ottis Simmons Jr. of Kentwood; a daughter-in-law, Monica Simmons; son-in-law, Rann Upton and five grandchildren, Adam and Tusker Simmons, Victoria and Laurel Upton, Hannah Simmons and many cousins.
Visitation will be held today at Crain Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation will continue tomorrow at Centenary United Methodist Church after 9 a.m.
The funeral service will be tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Charles Floyd Jr. and Dr. Michael Simmons, officiating. Interment will be in Ellis Cemetery.
Photo courtesy of Bonnie D
Contributed on 1/8/20 by billsully060
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Record #: 244854