Robert Howell Simms

Robert Howell Simms, born Feb. 24, 1945, is the son of the late Robert Earl and Edith Johnson Simms and the grandson of the late Mr. & Mrs. Lester Clay Johnson. From that union hailed three children, Robert H., Lillian S. Raspberry and the late Barbara Simms-Morton

Bobby attended Elba School until its closing and finished Carver Elementary School. From there he attended Benjamin Graves and completed high school at Maggie Walker. Hoping to become a professional football player, he went to Chicago IL, but shortly after he arrived Uncle Sam had other plans. He reported to duty at Bellwood and was shipped out to Fort Jackson without even having the chance to say goodbye to anyone.  After basic training, off to Viet Nam. He was discharged in 1967 and returned home safely. He was hired by Phillip Morris where he worked for the next 30 years and 8 months.

On Feb 24, 1968, he married Rosetta Banks and they have one son, Richard, who is the love of their lives, God’s special gift. From that gift came another special gift just when he needed it most. On April 24, 2014, God sent Raj, his grandson who lit up his life for the next nine years. Everything was Raj, Raj Raj.   

Bobby was baptized at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church at age 7 years old, however he and his sisters attended Sunday school at Goodwill Baptist Church which is walking distant to his home. He was so active at Goodwill Baptist that he decided to join.

He sang in the youth choir, A. S. Johnson Choir, youth ushers, served as a trustee for over 20 years, and did anything else that he was asked to do. After visiting Sharon Baptist Church, there was something he felt that made him know that God was in this place and he wanted to be where he felt God’s love. The love and kindness he found at Sharon touched his heart and he joined. As a deacon his deepest desire was to reach people who did not know the Lord. 

 Bobby was a person who loved life. He loved hunting, shooting, camping, traveling and entertaining. He was a people person. He had a special feeling for older people and always had someone he was looking out for. He realized that only God had kept him for many years no matter what.

Bobby leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Rosetta Banks Simms, (son) Richard Simms, grandson (Raj Robert Howard Simms) sister, Lillian S. Raspberry, (niece) Christa Balom (Ian), (great niece)Hunter Balom, Four sisters-in-law, (Joye Banks, Roslyn B. Goode, Roxie B. Lyons, and Alice Banks.) Four brothers-in-law ( Ralph S. Banks Sr., Russell H. Banks, Reginal L Banks and Franklin D. Lyons Jr.) And a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews from coast to coast and two very special friends, Edwin Shaw and Marshall Smith.

Rest in Peace Dear Love One