Johnny Darrell Simmons, 64, of St Simons Island, Georgia, passed away Friday, December 12, 2025.
Graveside services will be held 2PM., Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Old Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Irwin County, Georgia.
Mr. Simmons was born April 17, 1961, in Atlanta, Georgia, to the late Charlie and Florence Broome Simmons. He grew up in Ocilla, Georgia, until the age of seven where he formed many of the life long values taught to him by his grandparents Johnny and Ruby Broome.
As a young, newly married man, he started a construction company where he built homes in the Atlanta area. He loved inventing card and board games, and traveled to New York City yearly, for the Toy Fair, where he had a booth at the Javits Center in the 80’s.
He was a signed BMI artist in Nashville, Tennessee. Darrell wrote many songs and made several CD’s and music videos, with the help of his music producer, Peter Jacobson, at Knock Hard Productions in Atlanta, Georgia.
Darrell devoted 40 years to the telecommunications Industry, starting with U.S. Telecom, U.S. Sprint, T-Mobile, Cogent and was most recently with Telecom Management Resources of Farmington Hills, Michigan, where he was presently Channel / Sales Director. He made many friends and knew many people in the business and cherished them all.
Darrell loved all animals. He once saved a baby opossum from drowning in his pool, nursed it back to health, and drove “Driggers” to a Saint Simons Island wildlife rehabilitator. He found his latest cat, at the Dekalb County Animal Services in Chamblee, Georgia. When “Chia” reached her paw through the crate to touch his hand, he was hooked.
He is survived by his wife and love of his life of 39 years, Celia Beth Simmons; a sister, Donna Lynn Simmons; sister-in-law, Lisa Kay Norton; an uncle, James Martin; an aunt, Patricia Martin and cousin, Pamela Ann Martin as well as many more cousins and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest those who wish to do so, to consider a donation to CHAT, Citizens for Humane Animal Treatment INC., at PO Box 24228, St Simons Island, Georgia 31522
Paulk Funeral Home Ocilla, is in charge of arrangements.