Robert Saxon Simmons

portrait
Contents

Personal and Family Information

Robert was born on 21 Sep 1925 in Tupelo, Jackson County, Arkansas, the son of William LaFayette Simmons and Ruby Ona Vaughn.

He died on 15 Apr 1958 in White River near Newport, Arkansas.1

His wife was Coletia Odessa Simmons, who he married on 3 AUG 1946 in Woodruff County, Arkansas. Their two known children were Bobbie Edith (1948-2020) and Frank Saxon (1950-1977).

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)


 

Robert Saxon Simmons
(1925-1958)

 

William LaFayette Simmons
(1890-1939)

 

Benjamin Fletcher Simmons
(1860-1939)

 

Holman Felix Simmons
(1824-1893)

+
   

Theodora Mary Saxon
(1834-c1917)

+
   

Lucy James Rotenberry
(1863-1900)

 

James A Rotenberry
(1838-c1866)

+
   

Cornelia Jane McGuire
(1838-1877)

+
   

Ruby Ona Vaughn
(1898-1991)

 

Frank Marion Vaughn
(1859-1939)

   
 
 
     
 
 
   

Emma Victoria Sweatt
(1872-1956)

   
 
 
     
 
 

Events

EventDateDetailsSourceMultimediaNotes
Birth21 SEP 1925
Place: Tupelo, Jackson County, Arkansas
Death15 APR 1958
Place: White River near Newport, Arkansas
Age: 32y, 6m, 25d
See Note 1
Census3 APR 1930
Place: Tupelo, Jackson County, Arkansas
Age: 4 b Ark
Address: dwelling 18, family 19 with parents and 3 siblings
Agency: 1930 census Ark
Census 1930 Arkansas, Jackson Cty, Tupelo, Breckenridge Twp ED 34 -6 and 34 -8
Source: Census 1930 Arkansas, Jackson Cty, Tupelo, Breckenridge Twp ED 34 -6 and 34 -8

Census12 APR 1940
Place: Breckenridge Township, Jackson County, Arkansas
Age: 14
Address: house 42, rented, $6, Simmons, Ruby E, head fw age 41, Wd, 2yr college, born Ark, same house 1935, lead painter WPA projects — Emma Franklin, daughter fw age 19 single 10 yrs school born Ark, same house 1935, student — Billie, son mw age 17 single, born Ark, same house 1935, farmer — Bobbie, son mw age 14, single, born Ark, same house 1935 — Wilma, daughter fw age 10 single, born Ark, same house 1935 — Gene, son mw age 9, single, born Ark, same house 1935
Census15 APR 1950
Place: Newport, Jackson County, Arkansas
Age: 24
Address: House 202, dwelling 341 Simmons, Bob S, head wm, age 24, married born Ark, building houses, carpenter — Colita, wife wf, age 22, married, born Ark — Bobby Edith, daughter, wf,age 2 ,never married, born Ark
Burial1958
Place: Jackson County, Arkansas
Age: 32y, 6m, 25d
Address: Sand Hill Cemetary,
Agency: Tomb stone in Sand Hill Cemetary by A Bowie 2/16/00
Other Event1945
Type: Military Service
Address: Seaman 1, USNR WW II
Agency: Tomb stone in Sand Hill Cemetary by A Bowie 2/16/00

Attributes

AttributeDateDescriptionDetailsSourceMultimediaNotes
Occupationworked at oil mill in Newport

Multimedia

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Simmons,Bob,...
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DeathCert-Si...

Notes

Note 1

Bob drowned in White River near Newport. It took about two weeks to find his body, and it was near Augusta, about 90 miles downstream when recovered.

His story is heroic and tragic. He and a friend were fishing, and the boat capsized. Bob made it to shore but couldn’t find his friend (who had lost an arm). Bob went back in to find him.

Note 2

Bobbie Edith (Simmons) Shepard departed this life Tuesday, January 21, 2020. She was born February 15, 1948 to Bob Simmons and Coletta Simmons Melvin. She was of the Baptist Faith. Mrs. Shepard enjoyed quilting, reading, and cooking.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Frank Simmons.

Her survivors are her husband, Ben Shepard of the home; two aunts, Jessie Mae Hancock of McCrory, and Liska Simmons of Missouri; and a host of cousins.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Bernard’s Hospice for the love and care that was shown to them during there stay.

Funeral service will be 10:00 Saturday January 25, 2020 at Dillinger Funeral Home with burial in Augusta Memorial Cemetery.

findagrave 206457310

Sources

  1. Census 1930 Arkansas, Jackson Cty, Tupelo, Breckenridge Twp ED 34 -6 and 34 -8
    Source: Census 1930 Arkansas, Jackson Cty, Tupelo, Breckenridge Twp ED 34 -6 and 34 -8