Ruben Simmons, Better known as Grilly, was born December 18, 1942 to Obie and Annie Bell (Seegers) in Alabama. Friday October 27, 2017 Grilly was called home after a hard fight, while surrounded by loved ones.

Grilly attended West Junior High. He graduated from Central High School. Then decided to enlist in the Army right out of high school where he served 4 years and was honorably discharged.  Grilly was the Ladies man even within high school. As an adult he worked at Chrysler and Rest Area.  He continued to be a free spirit and always the life of the party. Loving family time, fishing, his children, and his family and working in the garden. His big bright smile with those deep dimples would brighten any room! He loved his wife, siblings, children, nieces, nephews and always knew how to make us laugh. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and making them happy. He was a firm believer in being who you are, no reason to hide or lie, he was always okay with just being him. Grilly as always taken the time to live life to his fullest potential.

God saw Ruben getting tired and a cure was not to be so he put his arms round him and whispered come to me.

With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him slowly fade away. Although we loved him we couldn’t make him stay. His golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the Best!

Grilly is preceded in death by both of his loving parents Obie and Annie Bell (Seegers). Brothers W.T. Collier, Alfred Simmons, Rosevelt Simmons, and Sister Sally Mae Dee (Simmons).

He is the proud loving father survived by and leaves rejoicing in his name;children, Natasha Love Woods, Robin Barker Williams, Jermar Simmons, Ruben Simmons, Ross Johnson, Ruben Brown, and Ruben Baker; loving husband of Tina Simmons; caring brother of Pastor Mae Weems-Dobbins, Ann Thomas, Annette Warren, Camilla (Michael) Muses, Phillip Warren, Solomon Simmons; amazing grandfather to Jataysia Hitchcock , Jarriel Hitchcock Jr., Tony Shellman Jr, Ruben and Rienez Simmons and host of grandkids, nieces, nephews, other relatives, extended family, many friends and  special buddy, Burney Mitchell.