Herbert Elmo "Smokey" Simmons, Jr.

Macon- Herbert Elmo "Smokey" Simmons, Jr. was born March 4, 1923 and died January 3, 2010. He was predeceased by his mother, Wilma Griggs Simmons and his father, H.E. Simmons, Sr. Mr. Simmons attended Lanier High School and Mercer University where he was a member of the Kappa Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order. In 1942, he joined the Army Air Force. He was stationed in England with the Eighth Air Force 445th Bomb Group. Mr. Simmons was shot down over France on April 1, 1944 and was captured by the Germans and held captive in Stalag 17B in Austria until May of 1945, when he was liberated by the Americans. He was awarded the Air Medal and Two Oak Leaf Clusters as well as the Croix de Guerre, along with many other awards. After returning home Mr. Simmons married Eugenia Corley and joined the Air Force Reserves. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant and was called up during the Korean Conflict in 1951. He served as Public Information Officer at Robins Air Force Base and later in Seoul, Korea. Mr. Simmons retired after thirty-two years as the General Sales Manager at WMAZ. He was a member of many organizations, including the Jaycees, the Macon Exchange Club, Moose Club, Elks Club, Riverside Golf and Country Club, River North Country Club, and Sons of Confederate Veterans. From 1972-73 he served as President of Riverside Golf and Country Club and in 1982 he served as the Chair of the River North Men's Golf Association. Mayor George Israel proclaimed March 29, 1985 as "H. E. "Smokey" Simmons' Day" in Macon. Mr. Simmons was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry. Survivors include wife of sixty-three years, Eugenia Corley Simmons; daughter, Gena McWilliams (Rick); son, John Simmons of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, Richard McWilliams and Molly Wilkins (William), both of Macon; great-grandchild, Bishop Wilkins of Macon; caregivers, Hattie Talton and Valencia Saye. Services will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 11:00AM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the Reverend Bob Gibson officiating. Burial will be private at Riverside Cemetery. The family may be contacted at 2733 Cherokee Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 753 College Street, Macon, GA 31201 or to Hospice of Central Georgia, Sitters' Fund, P. O. Box 6533, Macon, GA 31208. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.