Johnny Simmons was born November 1, 1954 to Annie Mae Whitehead and Charlie James Hughes in Osceola, Arkansas.
Johnny departed this life Saturday, December 23rd, 2017 at Rock River Health Care in Rockford, Illinois.
Johnny accepted Christ at an early age. On one Christmas day in 1981, Johnny received a special gift, his son, Christopher Jonell Simmons was born. He married Evelyn Lewis in 1983 and they had five children. Johnny worked for the Rockford Housing Authority Committee Board.
Johnny loved his family, his friends, and his hats! He really enjoyed his last visit to California to see his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Annie and Charlie, sisters; Bobbie, Doris, Bertha, Ann & Charlene and brothers; Larry Hughes, brother-in-law, Willie Akins, Sr. and niece, Cynthia Pat Simmons.
Johnny leaves to cherish his memory: his sons; Jonell (Samantha) Simmons, Ladell (Melissa) Walker, & Mose (Antavia) Walker, his daughters; Chanel Simmons, Crystal Walker, Teanna Walker. Also, sisters; Caroline Simmons of Rockford, IL, Shirley (Curtis) Lockett of Rockfors, IL, Patricia (Shawn) Weatherby of Columbus, OH, Mary (Bruce) Whiteside of Elgin, IL, Lizzie Walker, Carolyn Fourston, Cathy Marshall, Annie Cooper, and Tracy Coleman and brothers; Darron (Nita) Simmons, of Columbus, OH, David (Tiara) Hughes, Eddie Jackson, Harold Hughes, Willie Hughes, and Clarence Hughes, plus 14 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Joe-Lee, and a special friend, Miss Alice.
Visitation and funeral service will be held at O’Connor-Leetz Funeral Home, 364 Division St., Elgin. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. Service will be officiated by Minister Roger Simmons and Pastor Cedric Simmons of Bethesda Baptist Church. Burial will take place at Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin immediately following the service.
Please call O’Connor-Leetz Funeral Home, 847-741-1400, for more information.