LELAND — James Edward “Jim” Simmons, 78, died Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, at MedPark Hospital in Chisinau, Moldova. He was born June 1, 1939, in Bartow, W.Va., to Maurice and Gladys Simmons.
James had three siblings, Mary Jean Galford (deceased), Norma Brockway of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and William Howard Simmons of Cross Lanes, W.Va.
James leaves behind his wife, Virginia Gill Simmons of Leland, N.C.; daughter and husband, Melissa Marie Blair and Dwight Blair of Wilmington, N.C.; son and significant other, Cameron David Simmons and Lindsay Dean of Wilmington, N.C.; daughter of the heart, Marlene Anita Price of Charleston, W.Va.; and four grandchildren, Joseph Simmons, Gavin Simmons, Bryan Blair and Abigail Blair. He was the solid rock of this family.
Jim Simmons graduated from Green Bank High School, Glenville State College and Marshall University with degrees in business education, social studies and guidance counseling. He was a teacher and guidance counselor in Kanawha County Schools and Pocahontas County Schools for seven years and a school administrator in Kanawha County Schools for 27 years. He was also a school administrator in Horry County Schools.
James was very active as a board member in the Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union and The Russia and West Virginia Foundation. He was a member of the Cross Lanes Methodist Church and then the First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach.
James and his wife, Virginia, are residents of Leland, N.C., but have lived his last years in Kazan, Russia; Battambang, Cambodia; and now live in Chisinau, Moldova. He traveled extensively with his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations to
The Russia and West Virginia: A Partnership for Exchange Foundation Inc., at gofundme.com.
