Alton Simmons

Alton Rogers Simmons, age 74 of Albemarle, passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at his home. The family will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle on Thursday, August 23 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at Palestine United Methodist Church on Friday, August 24 at 4:00 PM, officiated by Rev. Boyd Joyce and Rev. David Nolan. Burial will follow at Palestine Community Cemetery. At other times, the family will meet at his home, 40199 Airport Road, Albemarle. Mr. Simmons was born in Stanly County on April 16, 1938 to the late Nixon Luther Simmons and the late Ecta Myrtle Rogers Simmons. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, La Vaughn Annette Simmons in 1995 and a son, Keith Roger Simmons in 1993. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, La Vaughn Herring Simmons; one son, Tim Simmons of Albemarle; one daughter, Cynthia Hurley of Albemarle; one brother, Jimmy Mitchel Simmons of Salt Lake City, UT; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Alton Simmons was a good man. He was a loving husband and father and a member of West Albemarle Baptist Church. He was a member of the Palestine Christmas Parade Committee and a volunteer fireman for Bethany Fire Department where he served as past chief and president. He owned and operated the Stanly County Ambulance Service and was a truck driver for Thurston. Memorials may be made to Hartsell Funeral Home, c/o Alton Simmons Account, PO Box 7, Albemarle, NC 28001. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Simmons family.