Ernest Lee Simmons

Lee was born in Westminster, SC on March 8, 1934 to the late Ernest and Dallas (Smith) Simmons. He was proud to have served in the United States Army and loved being outdoors. His family remembers Lee as a man who would lend a hand to anyone and enjoyed woodworking and carpentry work. He also enjoyed vintage cars and was quite the handyman. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish his memory is his wife of 61 years, Rachel Hope Simmons of Dallas, NC; three children, Melinda Cleveland and her husband, Jonathan of Kings Mt, Joel Simmons and his wife, Annette of Bessemer City and Brian Simmons and his wife, Amy of Bessemer City; eight grandchildren, Melody McGee and fiancé Kyle Hillard, Matthew McGee, Alisha Hall and husband, Jeff, Jacob Simmons, Samuel, Nathan, Grace and Hope Simmons; one great-grandson, Jettidiah Hall; two sisters, Ruth Deese of Mt. Holly, NC and Imogene Adams of Dallas, NC.

Lee was preceded in death by one grandson, Silas Simmons.

A celebration of his life will be held at 12:00 P.M. Friday, April 27, 2018 at Long Creek Baptist Church in Dallas, NC. Interment will follow at Gaston Memorial Park in Gastonia. Reverend Charles Ledford and Reverend Robert Baker will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.

Carothers Funeral Home in Gastonia is honored to serve the Simmons family.