Alfred Andrew "Butch" Simmons

Alfred Andrew (Butch) Simmons was born October 21, 1940, to the late Clifford Spencer Simmons Sr. and Carrie Adeline Hallenbeck Simmons at the Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City, New Jersey. Alfred was the ninth of twelve children and the second of three sons. He was the husband of his much-loved wife, Edith L. Small Simmons. Alfred was gifted in many ways: he was a naturally gifted, creative artist; a skilled commercial artist; a very talented athlete; a tremendous vocalist; a creative song writer; a talented choir director; a provider of godly advice and counsel that enhanced the ministries of a number of churches and leaders; and with his wife Edith, foster parents, encouragers and mentors to youth and adults of varying ages. As a young child, Butch, using the cardboard from his father’s laundered shirts, would create communities of people, buildings, and animals with incredible details. When his father recognized this talent, he was provided with balsa wood to make more permanent creations. Alfred graduated from Lincoln High School in Jersey City in 1959. While attending school, his goal was to become a classical artist. However, his art teacher suggested that he pursue commercial art, where he could support himself. While in high school he started making signs for local grocery stores, and for churches. Eventually, God blessed him to set up the business by which he would support his family, Simmons Signs and Designs. As a child he was a very talented baseball player but he couldn’t play games on Sundays to the dismay of his coaches, this was a forbidden activity in his very strict religious home. However, because of his skills, he remained on the team, despite his family rules. At the age of fourteen, he gave his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. When he did he was all in! His siblings, friends, classmates and all who knew him understood that he was absolutely sincere and devoted in his walk with the Lord. He became a man of strong faith, prayer, and dedication to the work of the Lord. Like his late wife Edith, he was in word and deed, a saint of God. While still a teenager he and his sister Carol would join and eventually lead the rest of the family to the Deliverance Evangelistic Center in Newark, NJ, led by Apostle Arturo Skinner. Alfred became a lead singer and choir director of the 500 Voices of Deliverance Choir. He would travel with Apostle Skinner on evangelical crusades around the world. He and four other friends started a gospel group named the Five Disciples that wowed gospel music lovers and won souls wherever they ministered. Alfred was a gifted songwriter, some of his songs were recorded by the group and also by the Deliverance choir. His most recognized song is still sung in churches worldwide, often during altar calls “All that’s left is time to live for Jesus”. He helped run the churches advertising department, was a board member and also was Apostle Skinner’s trusted personal assistant up until the time of his death in 1975 On December 1, 1962. Alfred married the love of his life, Edith L. Small. They had met at church during choir practice, and since both lived in Jersey City, he would escort her back and forth to the church in Newark. That is how God brought them together. Alfred just recently said he knew he would marry her the very first moment he saw her. Their marriage has been and remains the “marriage goals” example for legions of young couples in and out of church who watched the genuine love, respect and inseparability and anointing that was so obvious in their relationship. The Lord blessed this union with three children: Renee Yvette, Vaughn Arthur, and Jeremy Craig Edward. However there have always been dozens more who lovingly call Edith and Alfred mom and dad. In this loving home there was always room for foster children. Over the years, some of these children, while not officially adopted, would become engrafted children of Alfred and Edith. Natalie, Sheila, and LaKesha became part of the family. Throughout this entire time, Alfred and Edith’s home was open to younger women who needed a place to stay and/or were troubled. They counseled, corrected, and supported them through precarious times. Lucille, Dot, Shirley and Diane’s lives were forever changed by the love shown to them. The Simmons’ home was always a hub of activity for the neighborhood and church children. The house was always full. In 1977 Alfred and his family joined the Tabernacle of Prayer in Jamaica, NY, led by Apostle Johnnie Washington. He joined the choir and eventually became a lead singer. Everyone loved to hear him sing “Sign Me Up” and “Take All My Life Lord” among other tunes. In addition, he headed the printing and publishing ministry of the Tabernacle and shared his experience and training to help enhance the ministries of the church. He would again become a valued board member of a thriving ministry. Eventually, the family moved to Rosedale, Queens in 1980 to be near Alfred's employment with the Tabernacle of Prayer. While still employed at Tabernacle Alfred continued his own Sign and Printing business whereby he focused on helping many churches and ministries make progressive steps in their promotion In 2003, Alfred & Edith moved to a senior apartment complex in Amityville NY where they lived for a few years. In 2006 Alfred & Edith moved to live with their daughter Renee & her husband Ken, in Flowery Branch, GA. They became members of Free Chapel under the leadership of Pastor Jentezen Franklin in Gainesville, GA where they took part in Small Group Ministry. After moving to Georgia, he aided his nephews in the Home Improvement businesses with his creative skills as a designer and skilled artisan. His handiwork and skill are shown in the work done in his own apartment in his daughter’s home and in the many projects in which he enhanced the work of his contractor nephews. In 2015 Alfred’s world was shaken when his beloved wife of 52 years Edith went home to be with the Lord. Although heartbroken he kept his faith strong and used the lessons learned from his own hurt to minister to others who found themselves facing the same hardship. Alfred would live his latter years with several health challenges that slowed him but did not stop him from being active. After a sudden brief illness Alfred departed this earth on July 12, 2022 but not without the Lord showing his pleasure in the life of his servant with signs that could only be described as an awesome display of God’s presence in his I.C.U. room. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Edith; his parents, Clifford Sr., and Carrie; his siblings: Florence Gibson, Lois Simmons, Jean Bacote, and Miriam Dunn; foster daughters Natalie Hull and Lakesha Thomas. He leaves to await the coming of the Lord: his daughter Renee Simmons Matthews, her husband Kenneth and son Destin (Flowery Branch, GA); His son Vaughn Simmons, his wife Adrienne, and their children: Taylar, Andrew, and Ryan (Rosedale, NY); Jeremy Simmons and his wife J’Nell (New York, NY); foster daughter Sheila Hamberlin (Orlando, Fl) ;his siblings: Juanita White, Rev. Clifford Simmons, Jr., Mary Thomas and her husband Horace, Carol Griffith, Rev. Ronald Simmons and his wife Diane, Beryl Dillon, Judi Elam and her husband James. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, God children, and many, many friends. P.S. We can’t forget his Grand pets; dogs, Cinnamon, Pepper and Snickers and cat, Castle. He is now in the Father’s Home, awaiting those who will remain faithful to the Lord. We have no doubt that he will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.” The Family will receive friends between the hours of 6-8pm on Friday July 22nd at Free Chapel Gwinnett Campus. Mr. Simmons' Celebration of Life will be held Saturday July 23rd at the hour of 1pm at Free Chapel Gwinnett Campus. Professional Service Entrusted to Wimberly Funeral Home.