DR THOMAS H. SIMMONS BACKGROUND MUSIC In Memory Our "Tommy" Leland Presbyterian Church Leland, Mississippi February 23, 1998 2:00 P..M. to the Glory of God and in loving memory of DR. THOMAS HENRY SIMMONS May 5, 1927 - February 21, 1998 ++++++++++ Ringing of Tower Bell and Organ Prelude Opening Sentence and Verses of Scripture Prayer and Lord's Prayer The Navy Hymn 562              Melita "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" ++++++++++ Old Testament Readings Psalm 16 Isaiah 40:25-31 Gloria Patri ++++++++++ New Testament Romans 8.31-39 II Timothy 4 (selected verses) ++++++++++ Pastoral Prayer Hymn 280 America Folk Tune "Amazing Grace" Blessing Recessional and Organ Prelude +++++++++++ ________________________________________________________ Minister: Dr. Frank A. Brooks, Jr. Organist: Becky Walker Prayer Funeral of Thomas Henry Simmons February 23, 1998 Gracious God, whose goodness stretches from everlasting to everlasting;... and whose loving mercies never fail:... we thank you for the life of Tommy Simmons. We thank you for his faith in Jesus Christ, and that this faith of his sustained him in life... We thank you that his faith also caused him to look upon death not as an enemy, but as the gatewav to the joys and happiness which shall never end. We thank you for Tommy's genteel, gracious and hospitable ways... We thank you for his accepting and including people so naturally... We thank you for the integrity and discipline which characterized his nature... We thank you for leading him into the medical profession and that he was able to help so many of your children during the long years of his active practice... We thank you for his delight in keeping up with things which are new and challenging... We give you praise for the unique and charming ways he related to children and young people... We thank you for his unbending accceptance of Christian morality and for always supporting only those things which were honest, worthwhile, truthful, helpful and clean. As we release Tommy's physical presence from our midst, we do so with confidence - because he is now the recipient of your dearest love and eternal care... If we but listen carefully, we can almost hear with our own ears your welcoming words to him, "Well done, Tommy, thou good and faithful servant... Enter now into the joys that have been prepared for you from the foundation of the world..." Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. LELAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER Funeral services were held in the Leland Presbyterian Church Monday afternoon, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.. Our love and prayers continue to be with his large family, and special thoughts are with Nita, David and his family, Barry, and also Arlene Brown, his faithful right hand for many years. We loved him, too. SYMPATHY The sympathy of the congregation is extended to Nita Simmons, David and Kathy Simmons, Barry Simmons and other family members on the recent death of husband and father, Dr. Thomas Henry Simmons. He was a long-time faithful member and elder in this congregation. Dr. Tom Simmons' long courageous battle was over and he had died Saturday morning, Feb. 21 at the Delta Regional Hospital in Greenville. A truly beloved physician in the community, a loyal and dedicated elder in our church, and a good friend to so many of us, he will be remembered and greatly missed. One of his fellow elders remarked he had never known a more loving or caring doctor. We couldn't help but feel that one of Tommy' s hardest things to bear during his long debilitating illness was not being able to care for patients who continued to call him even at his home for advice. It was my privilege to serve with Tommy on the Session and he set a wonderful example of fairness, peacemaker, one who always looked at both sides of any situation. Not only did he possess these remarkable traits, but Tommy also had a delightful sense of humor which always seemed to be present. Who will ever forget the Wednesday night program when we all came dressed as our favorite Bible character. In came Tommy, dressed in Hebrew garments, a wonderful portrayal of an Old Testament figure. Who could it be? And then he turned around and there hanging from his belt in the back of his long robe was a hugh umbrella! No mystery any longer. We all knew it was none other than Noah! His humor and good spirits were a great gift he shared with all of us. My last times with Tommy also are vivid memories of this special man. We conspired on Valentine of last year to have flowers waiting for Nita when she returned home from the clinic and then the last time when he called excited that he had found Olin McBride and Olin's church in S.C. on the Internet. He wanted me to come immediately and see all the things he was enjoying on his computer. We will miss his contributions to our church. He remained active in spite of his illness, helping with the Worship Committee as they secured Advent candle lighters and also seeing that our new babies had their red rose and cradle cross in the sanctuary following their births. We appreciated his efforts which were accomplished with the help of his beloved wife, and marveled at his ability to smile and enjoy visits from this friends. OBITUARY Sunday, February 22, 1998 / A5 Simmons LELAND-- Funeral services for Dr. Thomas Henry Simmons, 70, of Leland will be Monday at 2 p.m. at the Leland Presbyterian Church. He died Feb. 21, 1998, at Delta Regional Medical Center, Greenville, of heart failure. Burial will be in Leland-Stoneville Cemetery, Stoneville, under the direction of the Boone Funeral Home, Leland. Mr. Simmons was born in Meridian, Miss., the son of the late Robert Kelly and Madoline Carter Simmons. He graduated from Meridian High School and joined the Navy during World War II, serving as a hospital corpsman. Simmons attended Mississippi State University and graduated from Millsaps College. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1957. Simmons interned at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, N.C. He moved to Leland in 1959, where he practiced family medicine for 37 years, retiring in 1996 due to ill health. Simmons was a member of the Leland Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon and elder. He also was a longtime member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a past president and member for 37 years with the Leland Lions Club, where he enjoyed working with the school program. Simmons served as a Leland School Board trustee for 20 years, was a member of the Republican Party where he served as Washington County chairman for several years and was a delegate to the 1980 National Convention. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. William P. Simmons. Survivors include his wife, Juanita Atwood Simmons of Leland; two sons, David Simmons of Leland and Barry Simmons of Greenville; four sisters, Margaret S. Jackson of Hattiesburg, Mary Ann S. Shannon and Frances S. Sparacino, both of Meridian, and Evelyn S. Sykes of Quitman; three brothers, Armond C. Simmons of Pell City, Ala., John Simmons of Meridian and Dr. Marion L. Simmons of Bridgewater, Va.; and two grandchildren, Graham Harper and Kate Harper, both of Leland. The family will receive friends today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Boone Funeral Home in Leland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leland Presbyterian Church in Leland. Lions Acknowledge Dr. Tom Simmons' Contributions to Club Lions Perrin Grissom, John Green and Ben Sayle drew up a resolution acknowledging the valuable contribution made to the Club and community by the late Dr. Tom Simmons. It reads as follows: WHEREAS Lion Thomas Simmons was claimed by death onFebruary 21, 1998. WHEREAS Lion Thomas Simmons ministered to the medical needs of Leland citizens for forty years. WHEREAS Lion Simmons was a loyal and dedicated member of the Leland Presbyterian Church. WHEREAS Lion Simmons was a faithful member of the Leland Lions Club for 38 years epitomizing the motto of Lions International, "We Serve." WHEREAS Lion Simmons served the Leland Lions administratively as chairman of committees, vice-president, and as president. WHEREAS Lion Simmons contributed to the fun and fellowship of the Leland Lions by serving as tailtwister. WHEREAS Lion Simmons was a strong supporter of the Lions Club Boy Scout program. WHEREAS Lion Simmons was a supporter and participant in statewide projects of Mississippi Lions. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED this the 23rd day of April, 1998, that the Leland Lions Club, by unanimous vote, pay tribute to the memory of Lion Thomas Simmons and praise his life of service. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Leland Lions Club, that a copy be sent to the family of Lion Simmons, and that a copy be furnished to the Leland Progress for publication. Adopted April 23, 1998, by the Leland Lions Club. 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