Warren Mayes Simmons

Warren Mayes Simmons passed away at his home in Rutherfordton on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at the age of 68 from a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Warren was born on Thursday, October 14, 1954 in Ogden, Utah to the late Willard Leroy and Retha Genelar (Mayes) Simmons.

 He was the youngest of eight children and was preceded in death by his sisters Lawana Simmons Funk, Janoel Simmons, Vandella Simmons Fleming, and brother Kenneth Simmons.

Warren has been a resident of Rutherfordton most of his life and graduated from RS Central High School class of 1972. He attended Georgia State University and taught History at the NC School for the Deaf and Blind in Morganton, NC. Warren worked on the Trans-Alaskan pipeline and for Miller Fabricating in Lovell, Wyoming as a welder before opening and operating Simmons’ Garage in Forest City, NC. He also had a pilot’s license. Warren attended ICC and earned certifications in welding, plumbing, and electricity. He also taught welding at ICC. Warren could fix just about anything that was broken. He loved working on classic cars. In 1989 he went to work for Watts Regulator as the Maintenance Manager

until his retirement in August of 2022. Warren was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Forest City Ward.

He is survived by his wife Sonya Simmons of the home. His children Shauna Taylor and her husband Kenneth of Gaffney, SC, his son Christopher Simmons of Rutherfordton, NC, his daughter Mandy Wieczorek and her husband Richie of Union Mills, NC, his stepson Josh Bagwell and his wife Stacey of Mooresboro, NC, and stepdaughter Chelsey Cole and her husband Joey of Forest City, NC, his brother Clarence Simmons and his wife Doris of Forest City, NC, and sisters Lucille Simmons Sewell of Idaho, and his sister Freeda Falk of Mooresboro, NC and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a special cousin and his wife Leroy and Gail Collins of Lovell, Wyoming.

 Warren was blessed with seven precious grandchildren who meant the world to him. Erica McKinney and husband Mark, Jake Wieczorek, Emily Wieczorek, Callie Cole, Brynnlee Cole, Evie Wieczorek, and Grayson Bagwell.

 Warren’s service will be held on Saturday, January 14 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Forest City Ward, 250 Mt Pleasant Church Rd, Forest City, NC 28043, with Bishop Dale Workman conducting. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 2:45 PM. The service will immediately follow at 3:00 P.M. The service will be broadcast via Zoom.

Zoom Link  

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89112051796?pwd=RFhJZlFRL0xDZlN0VjhoaHVLdWRFdz09

Meeting ID: 891 1205 1796      Passcode: 675302

The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, please donate to:

Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336 Forest City, NC 28053

The family would like to thank Levine Cleveland and Doctor Camberari of Shelby, Levine Rutherford, Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, and the nurses there for the tender and compassionate care he received from them during his illness.

All arrangements are entrusted into the care and under the direction of Harris-Nadeau Mortuary, Chesnee, South Carolina, 864-461-7788.