Mark was the last son born to the late Edward and Marlene Simmons in New Orleans, La. And his brothers never let him forget that he was the baby brother. As a youth Mark spent his summers in Atlanta with his paternal Aunt Helen LaSalle-Jones (Lawrence) and his cousins Joey Jones, Donald Ray and Robbie Williams. At Francis T. Nichols High School, Mark was a member of the choir under the direction of Mr. Paul. After graduating high school in 1981, he attended a summer program at Dillard University where he met and became lifelong friends/brothers with, the late Eric Nance (E-man) and Umar Shabazz-Bey (Igor, formerly Stanley Shealey). Mark gained the nickname "Coach" and the three were referred to as I.C.E. Upon entering their freshman year, they quickly joined the social group Savage 151 where their brotherhood expanded and continues. While attending Southern University Law Center he pledged the graduate chapter Lambda Alpha of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Mark fully embraced the fraternity's moto of "friendship is essential to the soul". After being sworn into the Louisiana State Bar Association he eventually opened his solo practice, The Simmons Law Firm. He was the club secretary for the Baton Rouge Early Risers Kiwanis Club. From 2005-2006, he served as the District Governor for the Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee District of Kiwanis International. During his year as District Governor, his service project was focused on providing suitcases for children that had been removed from their homes and encouraging Kiwanians to become Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. Although Mark had no biological children, he was a major part of a number of young people's lives. He considered Renesha Simmons, Kristie and George Connors, Josie and Jordyn Gibson the children of his heart. Mark was introduced to incoming Dillard University freshman, Marie A. Anderson by Trina M. Slaughter (Gibson) the fall of 1984 on the Avenue of Oaks. Six years later they married at Lawless Memorial Chapel at their alma mater. They traveled extensively including internationally. But somehow, they always made it back to their favorite destination, Walt Disney World. Mark was preceded in death by his parents Edward A. Simmons, Jr. and Marlene Barrows-Simmons and his brother Brian Simmons. He is survived by his wife, Marie A. Anderson-Simmons, siblings Edward T. Simmons, Sr. (Hazel) of Columbus, OH, David M. Simmons (Ruby) of Galvez, La and Sharron M. Simmons-Lucas (Lamar) of New Orleans, La; Godchildren Renesha Simmons of Baton Rouge, La and Christopher Plummer of Atlanta, Ga; mother-in-law Antoinette Huderson-Anderson (late Melvin) of New Orleans, La; brother-in-law Dr. Melvin W. Anderson (Stacye) of Lafayette, La; friends Umar Shabazz-Bey (Yvette) and Todd Conners of Baton Rouge, La and Herbert Ransburg, Sr. (Onzalo) of Lake Mary, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
In lieu of any services, please donate to your local food bank or the Baton Rouge Area Food Bank in Mark's memory.
Marie would like to thank the Emergency Room doctors and nurses of The Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Bluebonnet Hospital working the early morning of June 25th for the care and support given to both Mark and Marie. Also thank you to Annmarie Smith with Rabenhorst Funeral Home-Government St.
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