John "Red" Venable Simmons, Sr.

John Venable “Red” Simmons, Sr. of South Boston, VA passed away September 16, 2021.  He was born in Halifax, VA on February 15, 1929 and was 92 years of age. He was the son of the late John Joseph Simmons and the late Lucille Long Simmons. He was married to the late Ida Upton Puryear Simmons.

He was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as a former Deacon.   “Red” served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, and afterwards worked for the South Boston Police Department and retired as Chief of Police. He was a member of American Legion Post 8, Virginia Police Association, and served on the Board of Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy. He coached Dixie Youth for many years, and the 1969 team won the State Championship and went to Bartow, FL to play in the Dixie Youth World Series.

John Venable “Red” Simmons is survived by:

His Daughter

Robbie Simmons of South Boston

One Grandchild

Casey Martin and husband Dwayne of South Boston

One Great-Grandson

Samuel Martin of South Boston

***Preceded in death by***

His Son

John Venable Simmons, Jr.

Siblings

Lawrence Cooper Simmons and Lucille Beatrice Callis

A funeral service will be held Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 3:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Susan Davis officiating. Burial to follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends Sunday, one hour prior to the service at the church.

For memorials, please consider Dixie Youth Baseball, P.O. Box 193, South Boston, VA 24592 or First Baptist Church, 815 North Main St., South Boston, VA 24592 or the South Boston Police Department, 640 Hamilton Blvd, South Boston, VA 24592

Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com.

Arrangements are by: Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.

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