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- From "The Atlanta Constitution", 17 Dec 1890 (newspapers.com)
Rev. W.A. Simmons, a venerable minister of the M.E. church, south, died suddenly at 1 o'clock yesterday at the residence of his friend, Mr. George A. Webster, on Hood street, in this city. He had been suffering from an attack of indigestion since Sunday morning, but was not considered by his physician as seriously sick. Lying down at noon for a quiet rest he never waked again. Mr. Simmons was just sixty-seven years of age, and had been a minister for more than forty years. Shortly after his graduation from Emory college he entered the traveling connection of this church, and has filled many important and responsible places. In the early days of California, he and his older brother Rev. Jack C. Simmons, volunteered for missionary service in that distant and difficult field, and did much in laying the foundation of protestant Christianity on the the Pacific slope. The brother remains in California an aged and distinguished preacher. Mr. Simons returned to his native state accompanied by his accomplished wife, whom he met and married in San Francisco. Here in Georgia they have together blessed many homes and formed those enduring friendships which belong to the ministrations of a faithful pasture. Thousands there are from the mountains to the seaboard who will read these lines with sadness because of the personal love they bear to the sainted dead, and thousands more who were led to the cross by him have already greeted him in the “land of blessedness.” Mr. Simons was not what is generally considered a great preacher. He was perhaps what is better, a useful, fervent, thoughtful expounder of the word of life. He gave his whole heart and life to the ministry, and was full of spirit. His manner was pleasant and impressive. He was by every token the embodiment of the “man of God.” Finding his strength somewhat abating he received from his conference a few years ago a place on the role of the veterans among the superannuated, but his zeal led to much voluntary service among the churches in various parts of the state. Two years ago he was endeared to the congregation of Trinity church while supplying the place of the absent pastor. In the fall of 1889 he suffered the sorest bereavement of his life in the loss of his loved wife. He now joins her in the land where “no death shall enter.” A pure, true soldier of the cross his lay down his arms and passes over “to rest under the shade of the trees.” The funeral service will be conducted by several of his brethren of the north Georgia conference at Trinity church, on Thursday morning at 11:30 o’clock. Remains will be taken to Acworth for burial.
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1823 - 1890 (67 years)
