Franklin – Marvin A. "Red" Simmons, 93, passed away peacefully November 11, 2014. He was born in Martin County, NC and grew up in Hampton, VA where he went to Hampton High School. He was a son of the late John L. and Mary Barnhill Simmons and was predeceased by three brothers and two sisters. Red proudly served in the US Navy in World War II and flew the Martin PBM Mariner Patrol Bomber. He hunted, fished, golfed, and trained bird dogs and children for 50 years. Red was a retired Sales Manager for Lone Star Industries, now Tarmac Inc.

He was cheerful in all weathers and never shirked a task.

Red was married to Martha Jane Deisher Simmons who preceded him in death. They had four children, Al Simmons, Judy Simmons Sharpe (Don), Gale Simmons Tysor (deceased), Eva Simmons White (Robert); five grandchildren, Sarah Sharpe Flanagan (Brian), Laura Sharpe Sermon (Spence), Chris Howell (his friend, Angela), Maggie White Newsome (Tim), and Adam Tysor (fiancee, Amber Coponiti); two great-grandchildren, Gracin and Madelyn Sermon; and dear friend, Dot and her family.

A memorial service to celebrate Red's Life will be held at 2 PM Sunday, November 16, 2014 at Wright Funeral Home, 206 West 4th Avenue, Franklin, VA with the Rev. Wayne Blythe officiating. Red executed the document of anatomical gift of his body upon the time of his death. www.wrightfuneralhome.org