Baxter Edward Simmons, Sr. passed away at home on Sunday, December 1, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lucille Simmons, his brother, Ralph E. Simmons, Jr., and his sister, Betty Gray. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Hill Simmons and his son, Baxter Edward Simmons, Jr.

A graduate of Randolph Macon College, Baxter worked in both the carpet and restaurant industries and also spent two terms on the Hampton City Council. He was a member of Mercury 64 Kiwanis Club, a Trustee of St. Mark's Episcopal Church; a member of St. John's Episcopal Church; a former Little League World Series umpire, and a YMCA basketball coach. Baxter served on the board of the National Transit Authority, was Kiwanian of the Year several times, and a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

Baxter especially enjoyed his volunteer work with organizations such as EDMARC, Versability, Night's Welcome, and the summer lunch program at St. John's Episcopal Church.

A celebration of his life will take place at St. John's Episcopal Church on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 2 PM with a reception following in the parish hall. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to EDMARC, Mercury 64 Kiwanis Club or St. John's Episcopal Church.

Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.