Michael Simms

-The Obituary- “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the heaven,” Ecclesiastes 3:1This past decade has been a season that our family will never forget. We had to cope with the loss of our loved ones; first there was Jerrisha, followed by Gammy, and now Michael. Still, we must endure... Yes, we will weep for them and mourn their demise but we will also rejoice, because they are at home with the Lord,We may not understand the brutality or senselessness of Michael’s tragic death. However, we will not doubt God’s grace and mercy ... You see,” Doubt makes you question God’s Word and His goodness.” Discouragement makes you look at the problem, rather than God and Defeat says, “I am a failure, so that you don’t even try.” Michael was not one to give up on his dreams. During the course of his brief life, Michael pursued his dreams with a passion. He had just begun to come into his season; he joined the Marines in hopes of improving his life and had expectations of becoming a graphic artist. He was a 2006 graduate of Merganthaler Vocational -Technical Senior High School in Baltimore, MD. -A time to be born- Michael “Buuda” Simms, as his mother affectionately called him, entered this earthly life on October 28, 1988, at Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore MD. He was the only son of both Dwon Simms and Cher and Monroe. -A time to die-Jesus Christ told His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends,” (John 15:13). On Saturday, June 10, 2007, PFC Michael Simms, age 18, laid down his life for his friends. Michael was taken away from us far too soon, no parent anticipates burying their children. Nevertheless, God in His infinite mercy, knows all, sees all and is above all. He will give us the strength and courage to heal, For now, we must do what is necessary for the moment.” This too shall pass.” -A time of love-Michael, we love you and we will miss you... You lost your life trying to protect those you love and you loved your family unconditionally. Left to share memories of your life are your father, Dwon Simms, mother, Cherand Monroe, paternal grandmother, Mrs. Mary Carroll, a host of uncles, aunts, and other relatives and friends. Farewell our beloved... Rest in Peace. “Semper Fidelis” -Michael’s message, written in 2006-“I am who I am” My name is Michael LaMaris Simms, son of Dwon P. Simms and Cherand I. Monroe. I am a proud part of the graduating class of 2006, at Merganthaler Vocational-Technical Sr. H.S. I view myself as a very optimistic person that is slow to give up and quick to try harder to achieve what I need to achieve. Many people, who have a close relationship with me, would probably say that I am the type of person that will be me, regardless of what another might say about me. Some people may accuse me of being arrogant, stubborn, and even cocky, but I simply see myself as someone who is proud to be “who be is.” Since my days at Waverly Elementary School, I have always been sort of a quiet, reserved, and relaxed person---for the most part anyway. In contrast to this personality trait, I have been known to show the other half of me. Especially, once I left the halls of Winston Middle School. Thus, beginning my four years experiences at Merganthaler, during this time, people started saying that, “I am not that much of a quite person and I have changed” Even so, I believe this change was for the better. Now I tend to make people laugh more often, and I also enjoy dancing more, not really caring that my dancing skills are lacking a little bit. Despite these changes, I am still the same old Mike. I feel that my most apparent personality trait is, how much I enjoy being around people. When I ‘m around my family and friends, I love the atmosphere that I feel. You see, I am the type of person that receives joy from positive interaction and even more joy, when I notice good interaction between people I know. Nothing satisfies me more than to see that everybody is communicating well with each other. I am blessed to have this personality trait, not everyone has such a positive outlook on certain situations, as I do. I thank God for blessing me with my mother, because her genes are partly responsible for me being who I am today. Not everyone loves me for me, but enough people do! I love them for that. “I am who I am” - A time to speak- A father’s love Men die but once. All men wish to do so with dignity, to be buried with honor, and to be remembered with affection, for the best of their past moments. Men know well when the leaves will fall, but no man knows when earth will claim again the dust it lent for His creation. To My Son, In God I trust. In God I believe, Before you were born, I prayed to God for you, after you were born, I thanked God for you. As you existed, I gave praise to God for you. Now that you are gone, I am grateful to God that you have lived. Your, Dad -What I Am Thinking- I am thinking of all we have shared Through the years: Our home and our family. Our joys and our fun. Our plans for the future and All that we’ve done that’s been bright from the start. I’m thinking, I love you with all my heart and I will miss you “Buuda”. Love, Mommy -A Grandmother’s love- Michael, I loved you from the moment you were born, I am grateful to God and blessed to have had you as a grandson. You brought joy to my heart and into our family. With God’s help, I will try to focus on the positive, rather than the negative (Phil. 4:8). You are free from the sorrows of this world Love, Granny -My Putt-Man- I will cherish the times spent with you and! am proud of the young man that you grew into. You will always be “My Putt-Man.” You had a heart of gold and I will miss you Love, Uncle George A True Friend Michael you were our “homey” and you were a good friend that anyone could ask for... You will always be remembered as a “True Friend” We will miss you Mike. Your, Friends To Our Cousin Michael You were a special cousin and we love you we miss you and times that we spent at Granny house. Rest in peace. Love, Your Cousin

Tributes

Michael Simms

October 28, 1988 - June 10, 2007