Johnnie Simmons

Life's journey Ecclesiastic 3:1-8

On August 21, 1943 in Colleton County, South Carolina Mae and Charlie Simmons Jr. birthed their third child and named him, Johnnie Simmons. Affectionately known as Bookie.

Johnnie "Bookie" attended Ruffin High School in South Carolina. At an early age he joined and was baptized at Lovely Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of J.S. Ustey. He was bitten by the traveling bug and he left home at an early age and relocated to Columbia, South Carolina. During his stay there, he met and married Thelma. After many years of marriage she preceded him in death.

The journey continued, the traveling bug bit him again and he relocated to New York to be with his sisters whom he loved dearly. Johnnie was a family man and loved all his nieces and nephews and by moving to New York, he got to know them all. Johnnie's hobbies were dancing, driving, and cooking. If there was a party, he was there and you can rest assured Johnnie was on the dance floor dancing. People would surround him on the dance floor just to watch or get a dance with him.

He also loved driving. Remember, he had a traveling bug. He has made many trips, driving to upstate New York and back down to Florida. Making frequent stops in between to visit family and friends, last but not least his love for cooking. His favorite meals to cook were collard greens cooked with ham hocks and rice. And lima beans with ham hocks over rice.

The Journey Ends.... After a brief illness on May 20, 2026, Johnnie left us to join his great caravan. Those preceding him in death are his mother Mae Shider- Simmons; His father, Charlie Simmons Jr.; his brother Charles Simmons; one son Charles Simmons I, and his best friend James Scott.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Delois; one son, Harold (Lorraine) Williams; two grandsons, Harold Williams Jr. and Charles Simmons III; Three Step-Daughters, NeNe Dixon, Christine Dixon, and Joelle White; three sisters, Rebecca Harrison of Brooklyn, NY; Semmer Jackson of Jamaica Queens, NY and Patricia (Rev. Nathaniel) Clayton of Brooklyn, NY; Thirteen nieces and nephews, Sarah (Hakeem) Muhammad, Maxian (Alejandro) Clark, John (Tabitha) Harrison, Yvonne (Howard) Williams, Elder Yvette Harrison, Yvette Payne, Tisha Clayton, El Mario (Cicely) Clayton, Jabar (Delcee) Clayton, Jamal (Pooja) Clayton, Ariel Clayton; two bonus nieces, Melinda White and Angie Taylor; and a host of great nieces, nephews, other relatives and New York Park friends.

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