Franklin B. Simmons, 78, of Tifton died Saturday, November 20, 2010, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Elmer Golden, Jr. and Rev. Rodney Chappell will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 22, 2010, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Simmons was born on February 3, 1932 in Tifton and was the son of James S. Simmons and Eva Lucille Fitzsimmons Simmons, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Simmons and Lamar Simmons; and three sisters, Jane Davidson, Latrelle Squires and Rebecca Collier.
Franklin loved his work as a self-employed mason. He was a master mason, as he worked over 50 years in masonry. He did masonry work at Cape Canaveral in 1967, as well as work in North Carolina and all over south Georgia. He owned the Tiftarea Stone Yard from 1978 through 1992. Even after retirement, he still talked of work and was ready to train anyone willing to learn. He would often go to jobs with his son, Ricky.
As he learned to enjoy retirement, he spent more time reading. He loved politics, history and genealogy. However, his greatest enjoyment became reading his Bible, as well as Christian books. He expressed, on many occasions, how he wanted all of his family serving the Lord and all to be in heaven together. He would talk about Jesus to anyone who would give him the opportunity. He was a member of Trinity Worship Center.
Mr. Simmons is survived by his wife, Elneita Smith Simmons of Tifton; one son, Ricky Simmons; two daughters and sons-in-law, Felicia and Benny Parker and Cindy and Elmer Golden; one brother, John William Simmons, Sr.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Charlotte and Sidney Hester and Ruth and Clifton Branam; three grandchildren, Jennifer Hughes, Jonathan Greer and Adam Simmons; and two great-grandchildren, Rachel Hughes and Joseph Blackwell.