James M. Simmons, 86, a resident of Greenville, Ala., died at his home Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. The funeral service will be Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church with Reverend Mike Moses officiating and Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow at Shackleville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.

Mr. Simmons served in the US Air Force after High School and received an honorable discharge. He pursued an opportunity with the Federal Civil Service at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and worked as a computer system analyst and programmer.

James and Mary made a home in Crestview, Fla.  James was a great husband, father and provider. They raised two boys, Jim and Tom.  They helped them attend college and kept them on a straight path. James was member of Southside Baptist Church and helped lead his sons to Christ.

After retiring from the civil service, they moved to Greenville.  James moved his church membership by letter to Liberty Baptist Church and James worked in both the Garden Center and as a Greeter at the local Walmart for more than 19 years and retired from Walmart and made many friends there. He was fond of gardening and lawn care.

Mr. Simmons was preceded by his parents, William and Ulma Simmons, and sisters, Willene Holiday, Faye McBride, Ethel Saucer, Nannie Sue Osborne and Bettie Joe Stinson.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Mary; his beloved children, Jim and Mandy Simmons of Georgia, and Tom and Rose Simmons of Texas; grandchildren,  Emily and Natalie Simmons of Georgia;  Melody Armijo of Texas, and Carly Gordon of Florida; and his brother, Conrad and Kay Simmons of Mississippi. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.  The James Simmons family would like to thank those that helped him and those that were so attentive and cared for him during his sickness.

Online condolences may be made at www.dunklinanddanielsfh.com.