Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Simmons, James October 31, 1899 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Suzy Ward Fleming wardflemin@aol.com November 11, 2014, 12:22 pm The Norfolk Virginian, November 3, 1899 The funeral of the venerable and highly esteemed Mr. James Simmons, who passed away at the residence, No. 111 Cove Street, at an early hour Tuesday morning, was held from the Cumberland Street M.E. Church, of which he had been a member for over fifty years, at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation of sorrowing friends and relatives. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. H.E. Johnson, D.D., assisted by Revs. J.W. Crider and C.W. Pettit. Dr. Johnson paid a beautiful and well deserved tribute to the life and character of the deceased, saying that his life, though humble, was no ordinary one. His fifty years’ services with a firm, the head of which proceeded him to the grave about one year ago, was one of the highest tributes to him as a citizen, for few men who had lived in a community so long could show such a record. In the church he was faithful to all his duties and obligations living a life worthy of emulation by all. Dr. Johnson was followed by Revs. Crider and Pettit, the latter saying that he had known Mr. Simmons intimately for forty- five years, and the he was a humble and devoted Christian, having Christ in him, the hope of glory. In closing he said: “I shall see him no more on earth, but by grace I can meet him in the shining courts of the Celestial City. The remains were laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery. Following were the pall- bearers: Messrs. W.H. Fletcher, C.C. Gunter, J.W. Beasley, R.E. Gornto, Charles F. Kegebein, Walter Edmonds, J.E. Fentress and James T. Lilliston. The casket was borne by eight colored men, who had known and respected Mr. Simmons for many years. Additional Comments: Elmwood File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/s/simmons6382gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 2.3 Kb