Wayne “Ervin” Simmons, Sr.

Wayne Ervin Simmons Sr. peacefully fell asleep in death in the early morning hours of Saturday July 18, 2026. Our Papa Ervin was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Born October 11, 1941 in Grays, South Carolina, to the late William Fornam Simmons & Nora Lee Tindall. The fourth of six children, he is predeceased by his four brothers, William Jr., Bernard, Eugene, & Jimmy.

Mr. Simmons married Eunice Stanley Simmons on December 24, 1964. They spent 61 (and a half!) beautiful years together, building a homestead & caring for their children & grandchildren.

Mr. Simmons worked as a tractor mechanic for all of his working career, most recently for Okeetee Plantation, until 1990.

A lover of the outdoors, he cherished time spent gardening, fishing, and dog hunting with his son, Wayne, and his friends in the Horsegall Hunting Club. When the day’s work was done, you could often find him sitting beneath the shed with Eunice, enjoying the peace and each other’s company. He had a remarkable, unspoken way of reminding those around him that life’s greatest blessings are often found in its simplest moments.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Claudia Brown (Charles), & Wayne Simmons (Ann), of Grays; a granddaughter, Erin Berry (Jeff) of Lexington; grandsons, Kye Brown, Kaleb Brown (Sophia), & Evan Simmons, all of Grays; Brandon Brown (Katie) of Niwot, Colorado, and four great grandchildren, Riley & Raymond Berry of Lexington, and Isaiah & Isabelle of Niwot, Colorado. He is also survived by one sister, Linda Hankins, of Grays, sisters in law, Peggy Simmons of Grays, Judy Simmons of Hampton, Corine Simmons of Barnwell, Jean Stanley of Varnville, and a brother in law, Steve Stanley of Varnville.

Visitation will be held on Saturday July 25th from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm, with a memorial service to follow at 1:00 pm at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 6985 Pocotaligo Rd. Hampton, SC 29924.

The family would like to thank Cardinal Hospice, Sauls Funeral Home, and all of our family and friends for their support during this difficult time. We appreciate it more than words can express.