By Staff
1930-2007
Benjamin Cartwright Simmons, Sr., 76, of 6124 Piney Woods Road, Fairfield died Thursday, November 1, 2007, at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville.
Born in Hyde County December 1, 1930, he was the son of the late Patrick Columbus and Ina Spencer Simmons. He was married to the former Gaynell Potter who survives. Long active in community affairs in the county that he loved so much, he was a founding member of Hyde County Waterfowl Association, was active in little league baseball programs and enjoyed all sports and was active in the Mattamuskeet Athletic Boosters Club, spent most of his working years with the N.C. Forest Resources where he began as an Assistant County Ranger, later became County Ranger and then served as District Ranger for Hyde, Tyrrell, Washington and Dare counties and retired after 33 years of service. He enjoyed singing old gospel songs and passed along his concern that all of the children and grandchildren be given a godly heritage. A hunter and fisherman, he had a great love and passion for geese and was known for even scolding his children when they would disturb the geese even at night. He was a great teacher for his family and friends and always taught that you should never burn a bridge because you’d have to cross it one day. His great love for family and friends extended far and wide and he was known as a man who loved everyone.
Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Simmons Home on Piney Woods Road. His niece, the Reverend Valerie Ballance, and the Rev. Jerald Craddock will officiate. Burial will follow in Fairfield Cemetery.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, Gaynell, are a son, Benjamin (Jamin) Cartwright Simmons, Jr. and his wife, Pam of Fairfield; three daughters, Melony S. Carawan and her husband, Phillip of Swan Quarter, Mary S. Spencer and her husband, Lamar of Fairfield and Kathy S. Ballance and her husband, Murray of Engelhard; a sister, Jennie S. Clayton of Fairfield; ten grandchildren, Jennifer O’Neal and husband, Brian, Tara Foreman and husband, Dennis, Marcus Ballance and wife, Heather, Becky Allen and husband, Josh, Benjamin Cartwright Simmons, III and wife, Tonya, Julie Hodges and husband, Austin, Misty O’Neal, Erin Ballance, Charlie Carawan and Caroline Ballance; step-grandchildren, Nikki McKeel and husband, Johnny and Kenzie Evans and husband, Shawn; great-grandchildren, Austin Spencer, Benjamin Cartwright Simmons, IV, Dylan Simmons, Ainsleigh O’Neal, Melony Grace Hodges, Spencer Allen, Maggie Rae Ballance and Bailey Gray Hodges; step great-grandchildren, Josh McKeel, Sydney McKeel, Madison McKeel and Parker Evans; a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by a grandson, Neill Carawan; brothers, Patrick Simmons, Billy Simmons, Dennis Simmons, Bobby Simmons; sisters, Grace Ballance and Inez Oeters.
The family suggests memorials be directed to Fairfield United Methodist Church, c/o Joyce B. Jones, 1695 North Lake Road, Fairfield, N.C. or Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, Fairfield, N.C. 27826.
The family will receive friends at Fairfield United Methodist Church on Friday evening, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and other times at the home.
Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter where online sympathy messages may be sent to www.bryanfs.com
Paid Obituary