Skip to content

John Simmons Jr. (10-24-20) service 10-30-20

John David Simmons Jr., 64, of Savannah, passed from this life to his eternal reward on Saturday, Oct. 24, at his home surrounded by his family.
John was born in Memphis on April 27, 1956, to John Simmons Sr. and LaNelle Simmons.
He was preceded in death by his father; and one sister, Evelyn Ward; as well as his beloved in-laws, Charles and Mary Crabb, and sister-in-law, Cathy Johnson.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cindy of Savannah; one son, Josh (Cynthia) of Alamo, Tennessee; his mother, LaNelle of Oakland, Tennessee; two brothers, Steve (Wanda) of Oakland, Tennessee and Alan (Mary) of Bella Vista, Arkansas; two brothers-in-law, Mike Johnson (Janet) of Rienzi, Mississippi and Ray Ward of Memphis; one grandson, Eli. Also surviving are his nieces and nephew, and a host of extended family.
John worked at WM Barr Chemical Company in Memphis for over 20 years.
He committed his life to Jesus Christ and the faithful service of His Church for over four decades. For over 25 years he served as organist at Georgian Hills Baptist Church in Memphis, where he was also ordained as a deacon. He has served the past 21 years as pianist at Sharon Baptist Church in Savannah. In 2000, he founded Savannah Music Academy to further serve God’s Church by the training of many children and adults to use their musical talents to glorify God. He began the rewarding work of piano tuning shortly after founding SMA, and made many friends at churches, schools and private homes throughout North Alabama, North Mississippi and West Tennessee. He has played piano for hundreds of weddings, funerals, church and community events. He loved volunteering with the Hardin County High School Chorus as their accompanist. John also played the piano and sang with the “Inman Quartet” for many years before starting a family.
Though John’s love for and excellence in music took him many places, it was his family and friends that he cherished most. John was a loving husband to Cindy, father to Josh, father-in-law to Cynthia, “Jaddy” to Eli, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many. If you ever met John, he thought of you as a friend. He was a prayer warrior, who counted it the highest honor to pray for others.
John was a transplant survivor, receiving a kidney transplant in 2012 from his dear friend, Stacy Goodwin. After fighting bravely for three years, he lost his battle with squamous cell carcinoma, but has claimed his victory of eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the many doctors, nurses and medical staff that have provided such wonderful care through John’s journey, including Dr. GiGi Wood Davis, Dr. Brian Walker and the Kirkland Cancer Center, his Vanderbilt team and Unity Hospice.
A Celebration of Life was held on Friday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m., at Sharon Baptist Church in Savannah. Burial followed in Booneville Cemetery in Booneville, Mississippi.
Memorials may be made to Sharon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3514 Cravens Road, Savannah, Tenn. 38372.