of Leslie, AR
September 13, 1962 - May 5, 2021
Gregory Mark Simmons, age 58 of Leslie, Arkansas passed from this life on Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 at his home with family by his side. He was born on September 13th, 1962 to Herschel D. Simmons and Maxine Ashley Simmons.
Mark graduated from Leslie High School in 1980 and pursued various interests before beginning work for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. A disability forced his early retirement from AHTD. Mark was a member of the Leslie United Methodist Church and a Master Mason in Wiley's Cove Lodge #524 of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. Playing music has always been a big part of Mark's life. Guitar was his favorite but he also played banjo, fiddle, piano and mandolin. He also wrote a few songs. Mark passed along his love of music to his daughter, Ashley, and grandson, Colby who received his first guitar from his beloved Papa this past Christmas at age three. Many years ago, Mark was a band member of the Rocky Road Band, Full House Band and played gigs with various musicians in the area. Mark loved nature and being outdoors. He was a man of many talents, including woodworking and being quite the handyman for just about anything that needed fixing. It may be surprising to some, but he was a great cook and apparently inherited his mother's talent for making cinnamon rolls, etc. He was always trying to feed anyone who stopped by!
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Cathy; daughter, Ashley King and husband Charles; grandson, Colby King; sister, Rebecca Wilson and husband Homer; brother, Steve Simmons and wife Gay; niece, Makenzie Simmons; nephew, Reece Simmons; mother-in-law, Betty Wingo; sister-in-law, Becky Morrison and husband Dean; and many other extended family and friends who will also mourn his passing.
Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Herschel and Maxine Simmons; an infant brother, Benny Wayne Simmons; father-in-law, Jim Cates; step father-in-law, Danny Wingo; and nephew, Nick Morrison.
Funeral services for Mark will be 10:00 AM Saturday, May 8th, 2021 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas with Bro. Gary Ragland officiating. Visitation will be 6:00 till 8:00 PM Friday, May 7th, 2021 in the Chapel. Mark will be laid to rest with Masonic honors at Sulphur Springs Cemetery near Leslie, Arkansas. Bearers will be Phillip Treat, Jim Halsted, Gerald Sutton, Trey Rainey, Jerry Johnson and Danny Simmons. Honorary bearers will be members of Wiley's Cove Masonic Lodge #524, Colby Bunn King, Charles King, Reece Simmons and Steve Simmons. At the family's request in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Wiley's Cove Masonic Lodge #524, 437 Daniel Hill Road, Leslie, AR 72645.
Susan and I are very sad to read this news. Mark was a good man and I always enjoyed his company. Mark, Steve, Becky and Herschel and Maxine always treated us with warmth and kindness. You will be missed Mark. Rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Was so sorry to hear about Mark’s passing. Peace and comfort for each of you.
The WATTS FAMILY send their sympathies to your family at this time. May you be blest with a very special peace thru this time of sorrow for each of you.
Goodbye my friend. I'll forever cherish our youthful friendship and the memories we made together. Prayers for your family and blessings for your well deserved place in heaven.
We are sorry for your loss! Prayers for comfort to the Simmons family during this sad time;
It was very sad to hear of your loss of Mark. My God Be With You and Bless You!
I was shocked and saddened by Mark's passing. He was a good soul and a happy spirit. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Cheryl (Strong) Hensley
I am so very sorry for your loss. Mark always had a big smile every time I saw him. I always thought of him as a neighbor even after we weren't neighbors anymore. Your whole family holds a very special place in my heart. I will keep you all in my prayers and may God comfort you during this difficult time.
To ALL the Simmons I have the pleasure of knowing:
As I am grieving the very recent and unexpected loss of a family member, I extend my heart and my hands in any way to make this time more bearable. He was a kind, talented, and wonderful example of a man. I am a fortunate and better person to call him "friend" and witness his example. His presence alone will be extremely missed. I am so very sorry.
I’m sorry to hear about Mark. I have a lot of good memories of running around with him when we were younger.
Kathy, Ashley, & family I’m so sorry for you all loss. My prayers & thoughts are with Yal daily. He always had a big smile every time you seen him!! He will be greatly missed!
Bob and I are so sorry to hear this. We send all our love and prayers
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort for your family.
My condolences, thoughts and prayers for the Simmons Family as you seek comfort during this time.
Cathy....
So sorry for you and your family....â¤ï¸
Please take care and cherish your memories....
Your friend,
Kellie Marlow
Sorry for your loss, Mark was a wonderful friend to everyone and indeed a great cinnamon roll maker! My thoughts and prayers are with you all today and in the days ahead.
Much love,
Barb.
Cathy so very sorry for your loss.
A favorite quote: "don't cry because I am gone, smile that I was here." Wishing you all comfort and peace.
We are so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in our prayers.
We are both very sorry to hear this. Mark was a good man, kind and helpful. He will be missed
So very sorry for your loss. All of you are in my thoughts & prayers.
Mrs Cathy, Ashley and all the family-I was so sad to hear the news about Mark. He was a great man who always had a smile and wave when ever you saw him. He will be greatly missed by our community! Prayers for God’s strength and peace for all of you during this most difficult time of grief. My love and hugs to you all!
So sorry for your loss. God bless and keep the family during these difficult times.
Sending our condolences. Praying for your family in the time to come. -Love Rowe Family
I am so sorry for your loss, you are in My prayers
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Mark’s passing. Mark and Steve and their parents will always hold a special place in my heart. They were always very nice to me. We are praying for You all.
I’m so sorry for your loss Mrs. Cathy. Mark was a very good man! I remember stopping by to ask if I could mow your yard and ended playing guitars with Mark for hours! Heaven gained a sweet man. I’m sending Prayers to you and your family. Rest Easy my friend.
My prayers are with you all, I am so very sorry. May you all be filled with peace and comfort in your hearts â¤ðŸ™
Prayers for ya'll . One Awesome person. Mark will be missed by all.
Mark was a high school classmate and friend. His Lord decided to take Mark from us much too soon, but sometimes the Lord's plans don't always coincide with our own. I miss Mark and the memories we made together so many years ago. Rest in peace my dear friend. I hope to see you when it's my time. Ben Boyd.
May God bless and comfort you in this time of extreme sorrow. May Mark rest in eternal peace. Our world is a better and happier place for his having lived in it.
Being a classmate of Marks I can truly say he was such an amazing person. A gentle giant who was always the listener, the smiler, and good friend. His presence will certainly be missed. My love and prayers for the family.
We are holding all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
our prayers and love are with each of you may God be with you'll
We are so sorry for your loss we are praying for all of you . Love you all
I am so very sorry to hear about Mark. My prayers are with you during this time.
I am so sorry to hear Mark's passing. My heart goes out to Cathy, Ashley and all the rest of the family. Mark was a great person. Mark was a great coworker and he loved his family, he was always talking about them. May prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss! Mark was a very kind man to all! Prayers for all!
So sorry for the family loss prayers
I'm so sorry Cathy...I will be praying for you and your family.
So sorry for you loss. Our thoughts & payers for you and family . Mark was a good man .
Mark was a man of many talents. His passing is a tremendous loss to all that had the honor of knowing him. Praying for his family.
My prayers for Cathy and Family for comfort .
Mark was a truly good guy
All that knew Mark will have a void in there Life
So sorry about the loss of Mark in this life. Still such a young talented man. The Simmons and Ashley families have been very close friends to my family for such a long time. Prayers for you all!!!!
I am so sorry to hear about Mark we are praying for you all. Love you lots.
Prayers of peace and comfort for your entire family at this most difficult time.
So very sorry to hear of Mark's passing. He always had a smile on his face and kind words to say. Family you all will be in my prayers for peace and comfort.
So sorry for your loss! He will definitely be missed. Prayers all the family during this difficult time. Love y’all.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all!!
Our deepest sympathy
I've never known a better man. Although his body is gone his spirit remains with those who knew him. May the Lord give you strength and watch over you in the days to come.
We were so sorry to hear about Mark’s passing. Your family will be in our prayers. He really was a sweet soul.
Cathy, Ashley, Steve & Gay, I am so sorry for your loss. Mark was a very special guy. He was always so quite but now he could play that music. I have spend many hours listening and dancing to the music he made. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you during this difficult time. May God Bless each and everyone of you.
So sorry for your loss. Mark always had a smile for you when he seen you. My prayers are with you all for comfort and peace. May God be with you during this time of sorrow.
Our love and prayers are with you allâ¤ï¸ Mark was a very kind man to all â¤ï¸
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this sad time. Mark was a good neighbor and friend.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Mark always has a smile for everyone. He will be missed.
Words cannot comfort you during this time. but support of friends help you more than you realize at this time. I am praying for you and all the family. and our God has a way of giving you strength when we are the lowest. God bless each of you.
I was so sorry to hear this. Paying for you all.
My thoughts are with you during this time of sadness.
My prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of his death. He was very special person.
I know there are no words to ease your pain at this time. I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray God wraps his arms around each and every one of you.
So very sorry for all of y’all’s loss. I know how much he loved his family, especially sweet Colby. Prayers for peace and comfort in the coming days!!
So sorry to hear about Mark.I pray the Lord comfort your hearts as only he can love all of you
So very sorry to hear about Mark. Our love and prayers for all the family.
I am so sorry for your loss! He will me missed! Prayers for peace and understanding!
Our thoughts and Prayers are with his family. We are very saddened by their loss. My God hold them in his arms.
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
Bright Eyes I am so sorry. look to the heavens for peace and comfort. I love you
Cathy, Gene and I are so very sorry. Our hearts hurt for you. Love and prayers for you and your family. I love you
So sorry for your loss.my prayers for the family.love y'all