James Simmons

Funeral services for Mr. James R. Simmons will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at Westside Baptist Church in Natchitoches, LA with Rev. Bill Hudson and Rev. Mike Honzell officiating. Interment will follow at Fern Park Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 9:0 pm on Monday, January 30, 2017, at Westside Baptist Church. James Simmons, 78, of Natchitoches, LA, passed away on January 28, 2017. He was born October 01, 1938 to James William Simmons, II and Elma Stewart Simmons in Natchitoches, LA. He wanted everyone to know that he was a born-again Christian. James loved his family dearly and served the Lord with all of his heart. He was a faithful member of West Side Baptist Church since 1975 and was ordained as a deacon for West Side Baptist on September 22, 1991. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Some of his greatest joy was derived from spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was also an avid fan of the New Orleans Saints and the LSU Tigers. James was a member of the Masons, Shriners, and The Eastern Star fraternities. He was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Janice V. Simmons of Natchitoches, LA; two sons, James W. Simmons, III of Provencal, LA and Wayne R. Simmons of Campti, LA; two daughters, Veronica 'Bird' Stockwell of Natchitoches, LA and Celidora Achord of Natchitoches, LA; seven grandchildren, Chris Simmons of Atlanta, GA, Casie Deville and husband Michael of Natchitoches, LA, Randy Achord and wife Candace of Natchitoches, LA, Rian Achord of Natchitoches, LA, and Carlie, Abbie, and Molly Simmons, all of Natchitoches, LA; four great-grandchildren, Dakota Simmons, Cameron Simmons, Ashton Deville, and River Deville; and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters; three brothers; his son-in-law, Wayne Stockwell; and his granddaughter, Chasity Achord. Those honored to be pallbearers will be Durward Thomas, Bobby Dale Armour, Don Winn, J.W. Kelly, Rev. Benji Colvin, and Harold Faust. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Deville, Rian Achord, and the Deacons of Westside Baptist Church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Westside Baptist Church Flower Fund.