Ray Sanford Simmons

Ray Sanford Simmons, 68, of Dinwiddie, VA, died Sunday, June 11, 2017. A lifelong resident of Dinwiddie, Ray was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Debbie L. Simmons; children, Scott Simmons and wife, Christy, Angela Simmons, and Matthew Simmons and wife, Staci; grandchildren, Sophia and Brady Simmons; brother, Donald Simmons; sister-in-law, Patricia Daddezio and husband, Lou; brother-in-law, David Lucas and wife, Patricia, as well as several nieces and nephews. Ray was a builder for over 40 years and was co-founder of Simmons & Simmons Builders. A lover of music and talented musician, he was bass guitarist in several local bands over the years. He was a longtime member and Deacon at Matoaca Baptist Church. A U. S. Navy veteran, Ray completed two tours in Vietnam as part of the Navy’s construction battalion known as the Seabees. He was the son of the late Claude Cooper and Thelma Joyce Wray Simmons, and was also preceded in death by a brother, Richard Simmons. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 15, 2017 at the Dinwiddie Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Southlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .