Marvin E. Simmons

Marvin E. Simmons: 07/11/1933 – 06/05/2022

Born 88 years ago in Coffee County Tn, Marvin went home to his Heavenly Father after years of suffering from COPD caused by asbestos.

Marvin loved his church, Beech Grove Baptist. He felt blessed to be a member of the Daniel Franklin Sunday School class and was an active member of the Builders on Mission (BOM) for 16 years – an organization in the church whose mission was to build churches where needed.

During the Korean War, Marvin took leave from Inland Steel Co. in Chicago IL to serve in the active forces of the Air Force from 1952-1955. During this time, he achieved the rank of A/2C, as an Air Transportation Specialist. In July 1954, he received recognition as “Airmen of the Month” for preventing the takeoff and possible loss of a T-29 aircraft by an unauthorized person. After his honorable discharge in 1955, Marvin continued in the Air Force Reserves until 1960.

After serving his country, Marvin returned to Inland Steel Co and worked his way up through the ranks and retired as a Shipping Foreman of their coveted 12” mill machinery. After retiring from Inland Steel, Marvin also worked at Munster Lumber Co, Watson’s Clothing Distributions, Walmart, and the US. Postal Service.

Marvin graduated from Central High School in Coffee County TN and continued his education by earnings certificates in both small engine repair and electrical.

Marvin loved and was very passionate about traveling and camping in his fifth wheel. He and his wife, Lynda, spent many years traveling the east coast and southern parts of the U.S. He loved Bluegrass music. Being a sharecropper’s son, he was very particular about his garden and yard. He once told Lynda “Don’t pick my garden and I won’t rearrange your furniture.”

What many people do not know, is that Marvin’s ancestral lineage included being one-eighth Cherokee Indian. Marvin is preceded in his death by his parents, Elvie and Lucy Simmons, brother James, and sister Norma Jean Delong. He is survived by loving wife of 36 years, Lynda Love Simmons, and his daughters Kathy Simmons and Joan Kolodziej, and bonus daughter Melissa Cable (Bo). His beloved grandchildren include Danny Kolodziej (Nicole), Kristie Barsic (Curt), and Lindsey Kolodziej (Paul) as well as bonus grandchildren of Lindsey Holloway (Matt), Kyle Armstrong (Stephany), and Christopher Cable (Crystal). Great, great children, whom he called gg-kids, include Graham, Gwen, and Maggie. Bonus gg-kids include Kohen, Karson, Kaleb, Skyler, Ben, Mariah, and Megan.

Funeral services will be held at East TN Veterans Cemetery Chapel, 2300 E. Gov John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville Tn on Monday, June 20th, at 12:30PM. Service will be officiated by Rev Gerald Jones. This will be followed by a meal at 1:45PM at Beech Grove Baptist Church at 1519 Topside Rd, Louisville Tn. Instead of flowers, expressions of love can be made by a donation to the Builders on Mission (BOM) fund at his church. The family would like to express gratitude to McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home for the cremation and assistance during this challenging time.