William Brannon Simmons

The Celebration of Life for Brannon Simmons will be held at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 11:30am. A graveside service at Damascus cemetery will immediately follow the service.

William Brannon Simmons, (known as “Daddy” and Brannon) much loved by his family, passed into Jesus' warm embrace on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, while holding hands with his daughter.  He was a devoted father and brother and will be dearly missed. He leaves behind a legacy of affection and dedication to his family.

William Brannon Simmons was born on September 11, 1934, in Naples, Tx to Joseph Guy Simmons and Nancy Ruth Tuck.  His father owned a Texaco Gas Station and Brannon worked there with his father for a time.  Eventually, Brannon also owned a gas station.

Brannon met the love of his life in college, Fatima Bell Solmon.  Their marriage was blessed with one child, Lisa Simone.

Brannon and Fatima bought their first home in Mesquite.  Brannon worked as a banker most of his working years.

While Fatima was alive, Brannon would never remarry in case she needed him.  After she passed, he would never remarry because he said that there would never be another woman like her.  They always loved each other.

Brannon’s favorite past time was spending time with family.  Those were his happiest moments!  He always wanted the family to be together, enjoying each other's presence.  That mattered more to him than anything.

As Lisa grew up, her Daddy taught her to bowl, play golf, dance, and have proper etiquette.  They spent hours together playing 45 records while driving around in his blue Cadillac and playing educational word games.

He loved the big family reunions which happened once or twice a year in east Texas.  In 2014, Lisa, Terry, and Steve threw him a surprise 80^th birthday party which was like a family reunion!  That was a huge highlight for him!

Later in his early retirement life, Brannon loved to be out in nature, so he would go on long walks. He thoroughly enjoyed nature.  He would also go on long drives in his 1993 Chevy pickup and proudly talked about how it had over 400,000 miles on it and was still running!  He loved watching DVD jungle movies over and over.  His two favorites were Mogambo and King Solomon’s Mines. He kept track of how many times he watched them.  He was very methodical!  He enjoyed eating at his favorite restaurant, El Fenix.  He loved to reminisce and talk about his childhood!

During his later retirement life after he stopped driving, Brannon and Lisa spent countless hours driving around looking at nature, sitting at the lake watching people fish, jog, walk their dogs.  He loved seeing little children and would hand out $5 bills.  He always exclaimed at the largest oak trees.  He loved to watch the birds, squirrels, the wind blow, anything outside.

One of his favorite hobbies was to feed 7 horses that roamed in a pasture about 5 minutes from where he lived.  He would feed them carrots.  As soon as he got out of the car, the horses would see his red plaid shirt and start galloping toward him.  Those horses loved him.  And he said that feeding them made him feel like a boy again!

Brannon was a 1 Thessalonians 5:18 man and that is how he lived his life. "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." He was well known for being the most grateful man that most people had ever met.

He was known as the kindest, gentlest, most loving, thankful man.  He was a very peaceful, patient man. He knew how to create his own happiness.  He was always happy!  He would only see the good in others and he put others first, often opening the door for ladies.

As he entered Jesus arms, we can imagine that he lived Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving (gratitude) and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Brannon is survived by his daughter, Lisa Simone Simmons, his brother Terry Hinson, and his son-in-law Steve Flores.

He was preceded in death by his wife and love of his life, Fatima Bell Simmons, his parents Guy and Ruth Simmons, his stepfather Don Hinson, and many other precious family members and friends. 

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 28th at 11:30 am at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church, 394 County Rd 1135, Mt Pleasant, Tx 75455.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Brannon Simmons’ name to one of your favorite charities.