ERNEST W. SIMMONS, JR.

Beloved father, son, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle Ernest Woodrow Simmons Jr.  was born in Gretna, Louisiana to the union of Elizabeth Davis Simmons and Ernest Simmons Sr. on  August 10, 1937.  He attended the Gretna Elementary that is currently named Douglass Community School at 1400 Huey  P. Long Avenue in Jonestown.  At age 17 Ernest enlisted into the U. S. Army.  He served the military  voluntarily, and did a tour of duty abroad in Tokyo, Japan.  He became fluent in Japanese, as he  welcomed the opportunity to focus on the U.S. Army Boxing Team competitions. With his talent and  ability, he secured a spot on the boxing team as a lightweight boxer. Ernest served our nation, and was  awarded several trophies. He was a lifelong boxing enthusiast.    After the military he went on to work over the years at a variety of places around the New Orleans  metropolitan area including, Gordon’s Jewelers, Rubenstein Brothers, Swift Foods, The Roosevelt Hotel,  and most notably was at the Louis Armstrong International Airport for well over 35 years. He strongly  believed in his faith, as well as a dependable industrious work ethic.  Ernest Simmons excelled in a dapper well‐groomed appearance, which typically included premium  cologne, and a stylish hat. If you knew him well, then you understood that he was an intensely  passionate soul. We have many experiences with his loud and sometimes robust debates. He respected  causes that elevated agency and enjoyed political discourse.  Ernest was a proud dissident and news  consumer. He had a twinge of dark humor and suffered no fools.  Many days you could see him briskly  walking near the Algiers Ferry, enjoying a local festival or somewhere people watching around the  French Quarter. Although Ernest loved the entire city of New Orleans, he was truly happiest residing in  Algiers Point.  Early in life, Ernest was very grounded in his faith. He accepted Christ and was baptized at St. Mark  Baptist Church in Gretna Louisiana by the Reverend Melvin Trimmer. He loved his church Divine  Inspiration International Ministry. In 2006, Ernest joined as the first member, continued actively serving  as a Deacon and was the eldest congregant.  On April, 24, 2024, Ernest Woodrow Simmons Jr., aged 86, of Gretna, Louisiana entered into eternal rest  after an extended battle with vascular dementia. Ernest is survived by his former wife Ina Claire Ruffin  Simmons and their four children Nanette Simmons McCann, Ernando Simmons (Tremaine), Bishop Tyras  Simmons (Stacey), and Sonji Simmons Moffet (Byron). His beloved daughters Maria Giles (Dereck) and  De’Andrea Simmons were by his side throughout his illness and will dearly miss him.  He will be lovingly  remembered by his grandchildren Kidimi Simmons, Dr. Samar McCann Long (Terry),  Lamont Simmons  (Mallory), Tyralyn Simmons Barra (Eben), Tra’Ona Dexter (Jeremy), India Kilgore (John), Jackie Giles  (Akira), Dejuante’ Murray, Tristain Belvin,  Tyionna Simmons, Sydney Belvin, Lailah Cain, Liben Hurks,  Atticus Hurks  and Ernando Simmons, Jr. His siblings Vera Gougisha (Junior), Theresa Gougis (Wilbert),  Audrey Jackson (Amos), Joseph Simmons (Gladys), and Sheila Lewis (Willie) will forever cherish his  memory. He will be mourned as he leaves behind his great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, numerous  family members and other friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Simmons Sr. and  Elizabeth Simmons, his son Benjamin Hurks and three brothers Robert Spellman Simmons, Eugene  Simmons, and Ronald Simmons. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service at Davis Mortuary Service, 6820 Westbank Expressway Marrero, LA on Friday, May 3,  2024, at 10:00a.m. Visitation will begin at 8:30a.m. until service time at the parlor. Interment: Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery-Slidell, LA. To view and sign the guestbook, please go to www.davismortuaryservice.com.
 As we remember him let us not forget this scripture Exodus 23:20 which reads “Behold I send an Angel  before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.”  Although we  will miss your earthly presence, we appreciate that your physical journey has ended and you may take  your rest in God’s perfect peace.