Sept. 7, 1951 – Jan. 30, 2014

FLORENCE — Services for James Brady Simonton II, 63, of Florence, who died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Walthall County, were at 3 p.m. Sunday at Marvin United Methodist Church of Florence with the Rev. Robbie Murden officiating.

Services were under the direction of Chancellor Funeral Home.

Mr. Simonton was born Sept. 7, 1951, in Natchez, the son of D.M. and Jean Simonton.

Mr. Simonton was a resident and business owner in Florence. He died in a traffic accident, the result of inclement weather. He had been engaged in serving his business clients at the time and despite weather, was en route to meet their needs.

He was a native of Natchez, where his extended family resides, but had lived in Florence for many years.

He operated Stonewall Machinery, which serviced the lumber and timber industries with vital industrial and mechanical equipment.

He studied engineering and received his degree in criminal justice at the University of Southern Mississippi and received other industrial training during his working life.

He applied his knowledge and abilities to the great benefit of those industries and businesses he serviced.

Mr. Simonton was known for his high standards of personal integrity, his dedication to his business pursuits and his loving family. When his church needed him, he provided his valuable expertise.

His friends all acknowledged him as a man worth knowing. When he made a commitment, he could absolutely be relied on to come through. He was a wise man in the ways of the world, and proved that by raising, with Martha, a family with whom he shared his best qualities.

Mr. Simonton was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Kathryn Thomas; and father-in-law, Dr. James Marcus Howell.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Howell Simonton; his parents, of Natchez; three sons, Matthew Simonton, Marcus Simonton and Taylor Simonton, all of Florence; mother-in-law, Louise Howell, of Picayune; two brothers, Don Simonton and Joseph Simonton; and a number of nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles and a large network of friends and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society.