Funeral services for Mr. Joseph A. Simmonds, 87, of 340 Lakeview Drive, Orangeburg, will be held 11:00 am Thursday, September 5, 2019 at St. John United Methodist Church, 5337 Columbia Rd, Orangeburg, with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Reverend Thurmond Williams is officiating.

Joseph Alphanso Simmonds was the oldest of eight children born to Rose Greenaway-Ryner in Cork Hill, Montserrat on November 30, 1931.

Joseph, otherwise known as John or Joe, was educated to the sixth grade and attended St. Mary’s Government School. He migrated to Antigua, British Virgin Islands then to the United States Virgin Islands, before finalizing his legal citizenship in South Carolina.

While in the Virgin Islands, Joe was successfully employed as a cook, a bartender and a waiter. He later moved to New York City, where he found continued success working in the hotel industry at some of the city’s finest establishments. Joe was also a driver for New York City’s renowned Yellow Cab Taxi and Limousine Commission. He was also employed by the New York City Public School system and the Jewish Home and Hospital for Aged.

Upon his retirement, he joined his wife, the late Rose Coulter, who also retired from the Jewish Home and Hospital For Aged. They both attended and committed their membership to St. John United Methodist Church in Orangeburg, SC.

Gifted with an ear for music, Joe played the drums, the marimba, and later the organ and keyboard for his church. He took pride in playing for the church and dressing up “Sharp as a tack.” He also played with a band while in Montserrat. When his health started to decline, he played less and less, until his health would no longer allow. On Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the Regional Medical Center, he succumbed to congestive heart failure, among other illnesses, at the age of 87.

His brother, Lloyd Ryner, preceded him in death.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his children: Denise Simmonds, Roslyn (Gerald) Simmonds-West and Catherine Powell-McDaniel (daughters of the late Gloria Todman of Charolette Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands); his siblings: Charles Greenaway, Nelda (Adele) Skerritt, Laurine (Belle) Ryner-Sweeney, Bernice Ryner, Princess McLean, and Daisy Labadie; two grandchildren: Nekoro and Basil; and a host of in-laws, grandnieces, grandnephews, and dear friends.

Mr. Simmonds passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the Regional Medical Center.

Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at St. John United Methodist Church.

Family and Friends may call at Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg.