Richard Thomas Simmons, Sr

Mr. Richard Thomas Simmons, Sr., 75, of Mount Airy, passed away Saturday, November 24, 2012, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Mr. Simmons was born March 30, 1937, in Surry County, one of five children born to the late Robert Columbus and Lizzie Jones Simmons. Richard retired as an industrial engineer from Renfro Corporation after many years of service. He was a longtime member and choir director at Dover Baptist Church and a member of Granite Masonic Lodge #322 AF and AM. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Errol Hill of Mount Airy; a son and daughter-in-law, Richie and Diane Simmons of Thomasville; four grandchildren, Seth Hill of Mount Airy, and Jackson Simmons, Savannah Simmons, and Graham Simmons, all of Thomasville; two sisters, Peggy Lowe of Mount Airy and Nancy Link of Kannapolis; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by two brothers, Bobby Simmons and Jimmie L. Simmons, Sr. The funeral service will be held Monday, November 26, 2012, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Joseph Easter officiating. Burial will follow in the Dover Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 9:30 until 11:00 AM at the funeral home, and other times at the home of his sister, Peggy Lowe, 132 Dover Church Road, Mount Airy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Foothills Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1065, Dobson, NC 27017; or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.