JERRY DALE SIMMONS

Jerry Dale Simmons, age 70, of Donalsonville, GA passed away Monday evening, Jan. 18, 2016 at his residence following a lengthy illness. A memorial service for Mr. Simmons will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 3:00 PM at the Chapel of Evans-Skipper Funeral Home in Donalsonville, GA with officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Mr. Simmons was born in Bainbridge, GA on October 7, 1945 to Garmond Dale Simmons and Myrtice Day Simmons. He graduated from Bainbridge High School where he played football and baseball. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict. Mr. Simmons was a local business owner for 40 years as well as loving to bass fish. He loved all sports, but hunting and fishing was his passion. He was a well respected bass angler and competed in locally sponsored tournaments, as well as tournaments in several other states. Mr. Simmons was very successful in the competition of several of the well known bass tournament trails, making lasting friendships with fellow anglers. He was of the Baptist faith and a family man, loving to spend time with his family and friends. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Mary White Simmons of Donalsonville, GA; his children, Jarrett Simmons and his wife Tammi of Woodstock, GA, Chad White and his wife Christine of Bainbridge, GA, and Melissa Ogborn and Christy of Seattle, WA; his sister, Debbie Duke Skipper and her husband Charlie of Bainbridge, GA; and an aunt, Ruth Day of Brinson, GA. Mr. Simmons is also survived by his grandchildren, Victoria Cay, Joseph White, and Cameron White; however, he was more than just a grandfather, he was PaPa and he loved them with ALL of his heart. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his extended family of sisters and brothers, Linda W. Huckaby and Mac McIntosh of Marietta, GA, Betty W. Roberts and her husband Tom of Jefferson, GA, Mavis Schauber and her husband Bobby of Cautaula, GA, Maple Dale Aligood and her husband Doug of Kissimmee, FL, and Jimmy Wayne White and his wife Vickie of Albany, GA. Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by his parents, Garmond Dale Simmons and Myrtice Day Simmons, as well as several aunts and uncles.