Cecil H. Simmons was born on February 15, 1942, at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Cecil and Hattie (Mama) Simmons. From an early age, Cecil’s humor and kindness shone brightly, bringing joy to his family, especially his beloved “Mama,” who cherished his wit and was immensely proud of him.

As a child, Cecil was not only a gifted student, but also an extraordinary artist, often engaging in friendly debates with his brother, Rayfield, about who was the better artist. Cecil’s generosity knew no bounds, and even as a child he would always share his cookies with his sister Sarah, and continued to show a spirit of giving throughout his life.

A proud graduate of the New York City Public School System, Cecil attended John Jay Manual Training High School in Brooklyn before enlisting in the Army, where he served his country with honor. After his discharge, Cecil launched a successful and distinguished career. He worked for Bendex Corporation in Towson, Maryland, before pursuing higher education at Towson University. Cecil went on to co-own The Twin M TV Repair Shop, followed by a long tenure at Xerox Corporation, where he began as a Service Technician and rose through the ranks to become a Technical Service Instructor and later the Field Service Manager of the Richmond, Virginia office, from which he retired in 1997. After retirement, he opened C-Mart Dollar Stores on East Franklin Street and later moved to the 6th Street Marketplace, continuing his entrepreneurial journey.

Cecil was a man of deep faith. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in his adult years and was known for his kindness, wisdom, strength, and patience. A lover of music, one of the highlights of his life was recording the classic Doo Wop song “To Make A Long Story Short” with Eddie and the Starlights, which made it to the Billboard charts.

Cecil H. Simmons peacefully transitioned on December 22, 2024, at the age of 82. Cecil was preceded in death by his beloved daughters, Crystal and Daphnne; his cherished sisters, Estelle, Helen, and Hattie; and his devoted brothers, Rayfield and William, whose memories continue to be honored by all who knew and loved them.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 41 years, Rev. Deborah A. Simmons; his three sons, Cecil Simmons III (Baltimore, Maryland), Corey Simmons, and Wesley Simmons; his daughter, Teresa Sanders (Baltimore, Maryland); his stepdaughter, Judith Murray (Ohio); and his two cherished sisters, Sarah Simmons (Brooklyn, New York) and Maxine Hatcher (Queens, New York). 17 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Although Cecil’s physical presence may no longer grace our lives, his spirit will forever inspire and uplift us. May his memory be a blessing, and may we carry forth his legacy of love, laughter and compassion in all that we do.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd, where viewing will be held Thursday, January 9 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2025 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Road. Glen Allen, VA. Interment Virginia Veterans Cemetery Amelia.