Memories of Daddy

By The Children E. L. Simmons

By Peggie Simmons

"Daddy believed in having fun.  He spent time with his kids as a group and made a  game out of music study, dictionary study, and of course Bible study.  While traveling on long or short trips, we never knew when we would stop to fish, eat watermelon beside the road, or have some other adventure.

Daddy was a wonderful father my entire life.  But one thing that I will always remember is when I was eighteen-years-old with a sixteen-month old daughter, my husband died.  I lived with Mama and Daddy for a while, and Daddy would just look at her and cry because she didn't have a father.  He tried to be a Daddy and Grandpa at the same time, and he did a great job of both.  Of course, that's because I was his favorite."

By James Simmons

"There are many memories about my dad that I could tell, but due to lack of space I will keep it short.  I was a medic with the War Crimes Commission after the second World War.  As a friend and I sat talking one evening, we began to plan to do something which we both really knew in our hearts was wrong.  My friend, Mike, asked me what the mark on my shoulder was.  When I looked, there was a perfect imprint of man's hand there. We decided that what we planned was not the right way to go.  I received a letter a few days later from my Dad saying that he had been burdened that same night, and he and Mama prayed all night.  Daddy's prayers have been the most significant force in my life.  So, I must be Daddy's favorite."

By Amalfi Simmons Cato

"I have a more precious gift than any of the other kids.  Uncle Zeno (Tharp) and Daddy had the great opportunity to go on a three-month educational trip to the Holy Land, in 1929.  In a memorable visit to Amalfi, Italy, Daddy told uncle Zeno that if he ever had another daughter (there were already six children--four girls), he was going to name her Amalfi.  Mama knew she was pregnant before he left but did not tell him for fear he would cancel his trip.  In a few months, the little girl that Daddy had prophetically named came into this world.  Of course, he remembered so he named me Amalfi.  The other souvenirs he brought back to the family have a lot of nostalgic value, but none as much as mine.  Like I have always told the others, Daddy loved me best!"

"Daddy felt like he was in a real predicament.  Mama was expecting their fifth child and several church members insisted the new baby girl be named after them.  Mama said, "Don’t worry Ernest, just give me the names and we’ll use them all."  Daddy loved and was loved by people from all walks of life--in and out of church.  He was very considerate and didn’t want to hurt anyone.  So, they took the list, added a few family names, and tacked Sammie on the front in honor of a rough, old, gambling bachelor friend of Daddy’s.  So, Daddy was responsible for my one claim to fame--my nineteen given names--and one of those is Ernestine, after him.  I’ve always known I was his favorite."

By Esta Simmons Reneau

"The most exciting time of my life as a preachers kid was when I was thirteen.  We went to Summit Point, Utah where four sisters had received the Holy Ghost and started a church.  This was during the Depression.  Headquarters gave Daddy $50 a month with which to plant churches.  Nothing to live on.  We sold almost everything, bought a wagon-type trailer, hooked it onto our 1929 Model-A Ford, and loaded up everything we owned.  Daddy bought overalls and red bandanas for all seven kids, and we headed out for the tumble weeds, prairie dogs, and wild horses of the West--just like the movies.  We filed for homestead, cut trees, peeled bark, and built a 3 room cabin, furnished with other people’s abandoned stuff.  I helped Daddy roof, since none of the boys were old enough.  We worked for other people in trade for stock and equipment.  I had my own western pony, which Daddy and friends cut out from a herd of wild horses.  Daddy and the others built a schoolhouse and church.

Within a year, the depression became worse.  The $50 was cut off, and Daddy had no way to work for the Lord--no money to travel.  We traded our place for a car, hooked up the trailer loaded with canned vegetables, frozen meat, and government flour, and headed for the Wimauma, Florida, Church of God campground to regroup and get warm.  Daddy was out of a job and had no prospects.  But he said he was called to preach and not to farm.  But we all left crying, including Daddy.  Now what 13-year-old preacher’s daughter had her own pony during the depression?  I had to be Daddy’s favorite."

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