Cleavon Moses Simmons Sr.

CLEAVON MOSES SIMMONS SR., was born on April 30, 1938 in Nathalie, Virginia to the late Johnnie Moses Simmons and Fannie May Garrett Simmons. As the result of a lengthy illness, he suddenly departed this life on October 15, 2011 at Howard County General Hospital, Columbia, Maryland. As a child, Cleavon grew up in Nathalie, Virginia as the seventh of nine siblings. He was educated in the Halifax County Public School System. At an early age, he was baptized at Ellis Creek Baptist Church in Nathalie, Virginia. While raising his family, he became a devoted member of our Lady of Lourdes and New All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock, Maryland. Cleavon’s family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland in 1955. Shortly thereafter, he entered the United States Army. After returning from military service, he worked for Trailways Bus Company in Baltimore, Maryland from 1958 until 1967. Cleavon also worked as a skycap for American Airlines from 1967 until 1974. Lastly, he worked as a machinist for the Kopper’s / Kaydon Corporation until his retirement in June 2000. On February 20, 1960, Cleavon joined in Holy Matrimony with Margaret Elizabeth Stewart. From this union, they were blessed with six children and resided in the Ashburton / East Arlington neighborhood of Baltimore City for forty years. Thereafter, he moved to the Waverly Gardens Senior Apartment Community in Woodstock, Maryland. Cleavon was loving and devoted husband and father, who unselfishly provided for his family. He possessed a strong sense of character and extended family. He was a strong patriarch who provided unwavering support to his family. Cleavon was affectionately known as “Pop-Pop” by his grandchildren. He greatly enjoyed spending the holidays with them. He always greeted his grandchildren with a big hello and a biggest hug. He was very supportive of their endeavors, making every effort to attend birthdays parties, sporting events, graduations and school activeties. Cleavon was well loved and respected by his neighbors. He was a dedicated member of his neighborhood associated. After his retirement, he became a member and volunteer in the senior Program at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Ivy Center in Baltimore, Maryland. He also served on the New All Saints Custodial Ministry. Cleavon’s interest were fishing and traveling. His favorite fishing location was the Choptank River on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He spent many enjoyable weekends fishing with his wife and his passion was taking lengthy car and bus vacations. He also loved listening and dancing to various kinds of music. His favorite were the blues, zydeco and jazz. Cleavon’s leaves to cherish in his memory: his devoted wife Margaret Elizabeth; sons, Kevin, Lawrence, and Corey; daughters, Lacey Plummer and Christy Vinson; grandchildren,

Tributes

Cleavon Moses Simmons Sr.

April 30, 1938 - October 15, 2011