Theodore Simmons Obituary
Theodore "Ted" Simmons 63, of Dale and husband of Joretta Simmons, died Monday, June 13, 2011 in Dale as a result of an automobile accident. Funeral Services for Mr. Simmons will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, June 20, 2011 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Dale. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. The body will repose at the church one hour prior to services.
There will be no viewing after the eulogy. Theodore Simmons was born February 20, 1948, in the Dale Community of Beaufort County, South Carolina, the son of the late Beatrice and Benjamin. His life was set! He grew up and was educated in the local schools of Beaufort County. He was known by many names, "Teddy, Ted, Dawg, Doggie, Little Son and Spray Man." But he was more widely known as the "The Dale Almanac" .
He held facts and information inside his head, carefully and spoke each word about his surroundings with pride. You could ask him just about any road, weather condition, neighbor that moved on, family or friend; and in his own slow and steady way, he would give an answer. Each day for him was like an adventure. In 1968 he made his way to New York where he held many jobs.
But the job that gave him the most joy, was him becoming a Customs Officer. In Customs, he could collect stories of other travelers as well has sharing his own. In 1976, he met the love of his life, his "soul mate", as he would say J. They dated for a year and married on July 16, 1977. He worked hard at adjusting to the fast paced life of New York from his "slow and steady style of the South".
However, the South was in his heart and in 1993 returned to South Carolina, but not before returning to school and becoming a Certified Exterminator, something that he could use in his retirement. They built a home became active members in their community and their church, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. At the time of his passing, Ted was employed by the Beaufort County School District's Maintenance Department and was also self-employed as an Exterminator.
On Monday June 13, 2011, he heard a different call, not a neighbor or friend, but the call of God, asking that he take rest and refuge in an adventure that promised everlasting peace and an unimaginable joy. He got ready, got on the road, expressed his goodbyes to all that he loved and all that he cherished and went home to be with his Lord.
Truly the "steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" and Ted was that.....a good man, a good husband, a loving and caring father, brother and true friend. Those here who are left to remember and celebrate his life are his loving wife of thirty-three years, Joretta Simmons; two daughters, Natasha Bell and Janay (Anthony) Morris; one spiritual daughter Arinethia "Niecy" Ferguson; three grandchildren, Sekani, Shyaisha, and Amaria, six sisters, Geraldine (Frank) Gray, Richardine Anthony, Victoria Beulah Redd, Ruthie L. Simmons, Josephine Simmons, and Connie Simmons.
His Mother-in- law, Dorothy (Frank) Ravenell; Three sisters-in-law, Geraldine Hopper, Avis and Verna Eggleston; Three Brothers-in-law; John Hopper, Bernard and Phillip Eggleston; Six godchildren; Ellis and Shanita Robinson, Deshan Chaplin, Tamara Holmes, April Smalls and Danielle Scott; One Aunt, Lizzie Blanche Farmer; One Uncle Julius Walker; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
