Obituary

Russell Allen Simmons

January 9, 1961 - June 24, 2021

Russell Allen Simmons, age 60 and a resident of Sulphur, Louisiana passed away Thursday June 24, 2021 while on vacation with family in Marble Falls, Texas. He was born January 9, 1961 in Bogalusa, LA to the late Ronny Simmons and Nan Pierson Simmons. Russell grew up in Franklinton, LA and was a 1979 graduate of Bowling Green School. After obtaining a degree in Business from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, he worked for a time in the family retail clothing business, Simmons’ Squire Shop, alongside his brother and parents. Russell was an entrepreneur at heart and later ventured out to create several businesses on his own. More recently, he obtained a degree in Process Operation Technology from Mississippi Gulf Coast College and was employed in Operations Management at the Citgo Petroleum Refinery in Sulphur.

Russell had many lifelong friends and was a bright light to all that knew him. He spent a lot of time outdoors and enjoyed everything from canoeing to camping and especially loved jet skiing with his wife Jennifer, whom he married in 2016. Russell loved to have fun and never missed a chance to make the most of any opportunity to spend time with his daughter Hannah and his grandchildren.

Russell is survived by: Loving Wife: Jennifer Wise Simmons of Sulphur; Daughter: Hannah Simmons of Lafayette, LA; Daughter and Son in law: Tayler and Nate Migues of Bush, LA; Son and Daughter in law: Josh and Ashley Cormier of San Antonio, TX; 6 Grandchildren: Sebastian, Aiden, Emerson, Aniyah, Alijah, Avery; Brother and Sister in law: Ronald Simmons, Jr. and Cynthia Simmons of Gautier, MS; Sister and Brother in law: Vanda Simmons Upton and Rann Upton of Mandeville, LA; Sisters in law and Brothers in law: Jill and Rick Barfield of Round Rock, TX, Ed and Sherline Wise of Lake Charles, LA; Also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many dear friends

He was also preceded in death by his father in law and mother in law James and Ileta Wise and a son Jacob Cormier.

Visitation will be at Centenary United Methodist Church (1015 Cleveland Street, Franklinton, LA) on Friday July 2nd from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. A funeral service will be held in the church at 11:00 am Friday with Rev. Brian Ridgedell officiating. Burial will follow in the Ellis Cemetery in Franklinton.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to Centenary Methodist Church at the address above or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org).

The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff of Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Round Rock, TX for their care and support during this difficult time.

Pallbearers: Adam Simmons, Allen Pierson, III, Josh Cormier, Nate Migues, Ed Branch, David Steinwinder, Scott Reedy, Kendrick Magee

Honorary Pallbearers are Bruce Fairburn, David Simmons, Scott Simmons, Michael Simmons, David Varnado, Tucker Simmons, Roger Jenkins, John James, Harvey Bienvenu, Todd Magee, Chip McVea, James Pierson, Clay Richardson