Eugene Simmons

STUARTS DRAFT, VA Eugene Douglas "Doug" Simmons, 86, of Stuarts Draft, passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at his home. He was born January 10, 1927 in Blue Grass a son of the late Luther Compton and Willie Louise (Pence) Simmons. He was united in marriage on December 29, 1951 to Audrey Ellen Ritchie, daughter of the late Ivan R. and Grace (Wimer) Ritchie. Mr. Simmons was a graduate of Blue Grass High School; Bridgewater College, where he received a B.A. Degree and East Tennessee State University, where he received a Master of Science in Environmental Health Degree. He served with Hdq. Battery, 3rd Infantry Division Artillery of the U.S. Army during WWII and later 10 years with the Virginia Army National Guard. He retired from the Virginia Department of Health after 37 years, serving as a Sanitarian in Hampton and later in Bath and Highland Counties; Sanitarian and Sanitarian Supervisor in Prince William County; Regional Sanitarian in both the Northern and Northwest Regions of the State and as an Assistant Director of Environmental Health for the State of Virginia. He was a member of the National Environmental Health Association and the Virginia Environmental Health Association. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the American Legion and the Leadership Circle of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and a former member of the Blue Grass Ruritan Club. Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by two sisters, Charlotte S. Schooler and Nancy S. Swecker and two brothers, Kenton Kincaid Simmons and Luther C. Simmons, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Audrey, of 24 Sylvan Dr., Stuarts Draft, VA 24477; his daughter, Ann Ritchie Simmons of Jackson Heights, City of New York and his brother, Carl Lee Simmons and wife, Carol Jean of Blue Grass, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The Rev. Andre Crummett will conduct a funeral service at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 31, 2013 in the Blue Grass United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Blue Grass Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Wilton Simmons, Carl Stuart Simmons, Benjamin Schooler, Will Schooler, Don Ferrell and Eddie Varner. Honorary pallbearers will be family and friends attending the service. Friends may call at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Blue Grass United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 29, Blue Grass, VA or Blue Grass Cemetery, 3042 Blue Grass Valley Rd, Blue Grass, VA24413 or Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939.

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