Joe "J.L." Lafayette Simmons

Calico Rock

Joe "J.L." Lafayette Simons, 87, of Calico Rock died Monday, March 27, 2007, at White River Healthcare in Calico Rock where he had been a resident since April 2004. He was the son of the late Rubel Feldon Simmons and Bendia Caldwell Simmons. He was born Feb. 5, 1920, in Little River Township, Mississippi County. In his early years he was a self-employed farmer in the West Ridge community and retired from American Greetings Corporation in 1985, where he had been employed as a machine operator and in supply. He was a member of the Church of God.

Simmons was united in marriage to Alma Rae Christian on Aug. 29, 1939, in Harrisburg. They resided in West Ridge most of their lives.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1998; a brother, James C. Simmons; two daughters, and a son.

He is survived by seven children, Joe L. Simmons of Glenwood, Brenda Ridgdill of Calico Rock, Annie Joe Parnell of Navarre, Fla., Rosa Lea McCreary of Tupelo, Miss., James E. Simmons of Dolph, Carroll L. Simmons of Hot springs, Earnest L. Simmons of West Ridge; 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Roller-Swift Funeral Home. Burial was in Potters Cemetery in Lepanto. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Swift Funeral Home, Osceola.

To sign the online guestbook, log on to www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.