Joel Hayward Simmons

Mr. Joel Hayward Simmons, age 79 of Toccoa passed away Monday, May 9, 2022 at his residence.

A son of the late Ben Jones Simmons and Mary Elizabeth Whitfield Simmons, he was born April 1, 1943 in Banks County, Georgia having lived most of his life in Stephens County.  He was employed with WABCO for 14 years and later opened his own business, J & M Repair.   He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Nell Kellar Simmons, brother, Clinton Simmons, two grandsons, Dameon Roach and Matthew Sabato and by a great-grandson.

Survivors include five sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher and Maca Simmons, Kenneth and Barbara Watkins, Sammy and Susan Watkins, Junior and Lisa Watkins and Marvin and Ginger Roach all of Toccoa; sixteen grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, David Simmons and Ben Douglas Simmons both of Toccoa; four sisters, Delores Simpson, Carol Holland, Barbara Hill and Debbie Youngblood all of Toccoa.

Graveside services will be Thursday, May 12, 2022, 2 o’clock p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery with The Reverend David Sosebee and The Reverend Greg Austin officiating.  The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers, Wayne Roach, Joshua Roach, Riley Whited, Craig Simmons, Chad Watkins and Carson Watkins.  Zach Watkins will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

The family will receive friends at the Acree-Davis Funeral Home on Wednesday, 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Thursday from noon until 1:30 p.m.   Online condolences may be left for the family at www.acree-davisfh.com.

Interment will follow in the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery with the Acree-Davis Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Joel Hayward Simmons.