Herbert Gene Simmons passed away Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Houston, TX at the age of 94. Herbert was born August 11, 1926 in Dallas, TX to Mary Magdalene Ward Simmons and Troy Thomas Simmons. They lived in Dallas for a short time before moving to La Porte, TX. He graduated from La Porte High School in 1943, just a few weeks shy of age 17. He enlisted in the US Army Air Force in 1944 and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1946. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1953 with a degree in Business.
Herbert met his wife Elizabeth (Betty) Harvey Simmons at Third Baptist Church in Houston where they were both active and they were married December 23, 1951 in Jackson, Mississippi. They had a wonderful marriage for 67 years and he loved and cared for Betty devotedly before her death in September 2018.
Herbert worked as an accountant briefly before he and Betty opened the family business, Simmons Florist, in 1957. Herbert built a successful business that was known for customer service and they were blessed with many loyal customers over the years. Simmons Florist was known for their weddings and his greatest joy was planning the weddings of his children and grandchildren. After he retired and sold Simmons Florist, he loved blessing friends with flowers that were dropped off, usually anonymously.
He was a quiet man about his faith, but when asked, he said that he spoke to Jesus every day. He loved to listen to Gospel music and was a faithful member of Park Place Baptist and Faith Springs Baptist. At Park Place, he and Betty were faithfully involved in the bus and homebound ministries.
He loved his family dearly, especially Betty and his children and showed kindness to everyone. He loved traveling with friends, gardening, flowers, and reading.
Herbert is preceded in death by his loving wife Betty, his sister, Jimmie Williams, and his brother-in-law & sister-in-law George and Anita Harvey. He is survived by his daughter Janet Adams and husband Russ of Keller, and sons Douglas Simmons and wife P.B. of Millican, Russell Simmons and wife Jene of Houston, and Thomas Simmons and wife Jeanette of Deer Park. He also had nine grandchildren and their spouses; Bryonie, Michael and Kassi, Tyler and Kaelee, Michael and Jenny, Sharon and Mike, Garrett and Cambry, Kelsey, Bailey and Kyle, and Jared. He had fourteen great grandchildren; Betty Ann, Benjamin, Rhyan, Samuel, Rhett, Jeremiah, Auden, Beckett, Wyatt, Paul, Bradley, Avia, Franklin, and Nora. With God’s grace and in his timing, we will all be reunited again.
Praise be to God for His Faithfulness!
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