Leon Ivey Simmons, Jr.

Leon Ivey Simmons, Jr. was born in Thomasville, Georgia, on August 24, 1976, to the union of Leon and Brenda Simmons. At an early age, he professed his faith in God and was baptized at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, where he remained a member. On August 7, 2024, when God saw his suffering, He said "No more" and called Leon home to rest.

He graduated from Thomasville High School in 1994. Later in life, he earned a certificate in welding and worked as a welder for Urban Tank Care until the company relocated.

Leon was a person whose presence was both strong and reassuring. His towering stature was matched only by the size of his heart, making him a beloved figure in the lives of everyone he touched. Known for his kindness, quiet strength, and infectious laughter, Leon was a man of few words, but his actions left a lasting impact. Leon also possessed a special gift: joy. It is said, "A joyful heart is good medicine for the soul." His joy was medicine for those around him. Whenever he entered a room, you couldn't help but chuckle or smile, no matter the situation. He had a unique ability to help you forget your troubles, even just for a moment, and live fully in the present.

He was preceded in death by his mother; Brenda Pettis-Simmons; his great-grandparents, Henry Donalson and Mattie Stevens; two grandmothers, Ossie Lee Petties, and Vivan S. Childs; grandfather, Lewis Wilson; four great aunts, Anna Mae Thomas, Mary Hall, Julia Williams, Mamie Jones; one great uncle, Henry Donalson Jr.; one aunt Lois Ross; four uncles, Jessie "JT" Tillman Jr., Henry Tillman, Quinton Johnson, Willie James Tillman; four cousins, Carl Sanders, Lantanjia Tillman, Willie L. Moore, Josiah Pennington.

His life will forever be cherished in the lives of his father, Leon Ivey Simmons, Sr., Thomasville, GA; two daughters, Morgan Ivey, Savannah, GA, Kiana Simmons, Smyrna, GA; two sons, Malik Ray, Tallahassee, FL, Leon Ivey Simmons, III, Valdosta, GA; two grandchildren, Kasen Richardson, Karter Richardson, both of Smyrna, GA; five sisters, Latonya Mitchell, Thomasville, GA, SeQuoyah Johnson, Atlanta, GA, Topreka Grant - Dean, Jacksonville, FL, Nikki Sparks, Braselton, GA, Monieca Daniels Williams, Cairo, GA; five brothers, Dravares Simmons, Valdosta, GA, Cortez Cheatem, Gainesville, GA , Jerome Johnson, Kevin Grant, both of Atlanta, GA, Leroy Christopher, Tallahassee, FL; seven aunts, Essie Lee Spann, Martha Tillman, Mary (Hozell) Hester, Lillie Mae Tillman, Brenda Wilson (Stephon), Barbara Wilson all of Thomasville, GA, Distarling Childs - Wilson, Decatur, GA; thirteen uncles, Howlon (Virginia) Johnson, Tommy Johnson, Andrew Petties, Al Childs, Charlie Wilson (Ella), Morris Wilson (Shelia), all of Thomasville, GA, Gregory (Betty) Petties, Perry, GA, A Jay Childs (Charlene), Killeen, Texas, LaRoy Childs, Topeka, Kansas, Terrence Childs, Atlanta, GA, Johnny Wilson (Jacqueline), Columbus, GA, Billy Wilson (Marie), Phoenix City, AL, Lewis Wilson Jr. (Christina), Columbia, SC and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.