Glenn Simmons

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 15, 2008

MARIETTA, Ga. – Memorial services for Glenn William Simmons, of Marietta, Ga., who died Friday, July 11, 2008, will be Saturday, July 26, 2008, in Natchez.
Visitation and memorial services were held at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, in Marietta, on Monday, July 14.
Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory, in Marietta, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Natchez, Glenn was the second son of Billy and Helen Simmons. He enjoyed the life of a country boy on a pastoral farm next to the airport his father managed. As a teenager, he became a certified pilot for general aviation. He was a leader in high school activities, playing football, basketball and as senior class vice president. From his youth, Glenn developed deep friendships that lasted all of his life.
Glenn graduated from Auburn University in 1974 with a degree in aerospace engineering. He moved to Atlanta to get his MBA from Georgia State and begin his first job with Lockheed Corporation. There he met his future father-in-law, Joe Cornish of Marietta, who had the vision to introduce him to his daughter, Charlotte. From the moment they met, making her happy mattered more to him than anything else. Charlotte became his wife and the love of his life.
In 1977, Glenn moved to Church Street, in Marietta, where he and Charlotte lived their life together, raising three children, making more friends and becoming involved in the community. After a few years with Lockheed, Glenn began his career as an entrepreneur in various investments and business activities, especially in oil and gas. He was a founding member of The Buckhead Club in Atlanta.
He enjoyed scuba diving, snow skiing, hunting and other activities that got him into the great outdoors. Glenn joined the Marietta Country Club, where he enjoyed playing golf and the camaraderie of friends. There was no better place for Glenn to have fun with friends than the deck of his house.
Glenn was a loving and loyal husband, father, son and friend. A man of action, passion, generosity and integrity, Glenn made a difference in the lives of other people. He was a philosopher of life and lived it to the fullest.
After a difficult and heroic struggle, Glenn finally succumbed to cancer at Wellstar Hospital. He never gave up, yet helped his loved ones prepare for the worst, taking comfort with the knowledge the time had come for his life to end as it was meant to be.
Glenn is survived by his devoted wife, Charlotte Cornish Simmons; three wonderful children, William Stirling, Joseph Alexander and Eleanor Wendover Simmons, all of Marietta; two grandchildren, Elijah Alexander and Micah Glenn Simmons, children of Alexander and wife, Deena; his father, William D. “Billy” Simmons of Natchez; two brothers, Wayne Simmons and wife, Shellie, both of Jacksonville, Fla., and Don Simmons of Marietta; father-in-law, Joseph Cornish and wife, Grace, both of Marietta; and dear friend and brother in spirit, Stephen Imler of Marietta.
Glenn was a joy and inspiration for everyone that knew him. He had a full and wonderful life, even if much shorter than he deserved. He will always be missed by everyone that came to know him and were touched by his life.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Magnolia Foundation that Glenn co-founded to serve various needs of residents and the City of Natchez. Donations may be mailed to The Magnolia Foundation, c/o 202 Linton Ave., Natchez, MS 39120, Attention: Ruth Nichols.
For Glenn, life was an adventure from the beginning and throughout his life. He made the most of every day.