Russell Glenn Simmons Jr.

Russell Glenn Simmons, Jr., 94, of Greensboro NC, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2022 at Beacon Place in Greensboro. A private memorial will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery at the family grave site.

Russell was born in Indiana to his late parents, Russell Glenn Simmons Sr. and Mary Strickland Simmons, on November 16, 1927 while visiting family. Eventually moving to Greensboro, Russell Sr. owned Russell Simmons Lumber Company. Russell Jr. attended Augusta Military Academy in Virginia and served in the U.S. Navy on three different aircraft carriers for four years during the Korean Conflict. He attended Guilford College and the William R Morrow Lumber School. In 1953, he married the late Mariann Mobley of Reidsville while stationed in Atlantic City, NJ, later moving to the Guilford College area of Greensboro and building a home. Russell took over as president of Russell Simmons Lumber Company in 1955 and in 1961, they had their only child, Mary Reid. Russell and Mariann divorced in 1971 and Mr. Simmons retired in 1973 at the age of 49. He remained independent until the last few weeks of his life.

Russell attended First Presbyterian Church and was a lifelong member of the Greensboro Country Club. As a young man, he had his pilot’s license and flew airplanes. In his school years, he played football and continued his love of all sports, always pulling for the underdog. He loved art and music, photography, painting and playing the drums. He loved to entertain and kept an active social calendar throughout his life and always kept a great sense of humor.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his daughter, Mary Reid Simmons Myers and husband Greg of Summerfield; grandchildren, Mary Michelle George and husband Adam, Katherine Myers Defendorf and husband Luke, Paul Gregory Myers, Jr. and wife Kelsey, and Sarah Elizabeth Myers; great-grandchildren, Cameron Defendorf and Charlotte George; nieces and nephews, Gigi Schwall, Marcia and Tom Trevathan, and Chuck and Dee Bodine; and many great-nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Jeanne Simmons Bodine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AuthoraCare Collective or a charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com for the Simmons family.