Tommy Simrall (William Thomas Simrall)

Published 7:00 pm Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Tommy Simrall passed from this life peacefully the morning of Sunday, June 10, 2018. Born in Vicksburg on May 25, 1941, he was 77 years of age. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Vicksburg having moved back from Shreveport, La.

Upon graduation from Jett High School, Tommy briefly attended Mississippi State University.

He moved to Houston, Texas, to attend Floral Design School and subsequently spent fifty years as a Floral Designer.

Much of his time in Shreveport was spent doing volunteer work of all kinds. He filled many roles during this time including being a member of the Ark-La-Tex Herb Society, being a member of the Gilliam United Methodist Choir, being usher/ticket taker at The Strand Theatre, and being a volunteer at The Philadelphia Center.

He was a member of the Mooringsport United Methodist Church, where he took on many duties including paying bills, collecting monies, scheduling maintenance and nursing of AIDS patients, as well as being a member of the Cemetery Association.

He volunteered at The American Rose Center herb garden. He was a part of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church “feeding the homeless” program. He volunteered at the Barnwell Center in Shreveport, La. Tommy also did hospice volunteer work.

Mr. Simrall was a Lay Leader at the Mooringsport United Methodist Church as well as an UMCOR volunteer. He was an election commissioner in charge of a voting precinct. While in Shreveport and after he retired, he managed the Evangeline Apartments and did seminars on floral arranging and herbal gardening.

After moving back to Vicksburg, Tommy was an Auxiliary Volunteer at the Merit Health River Region Hospital. He volunteered in Ambulatory Surgery, Diagnostics, and the Cardiology Department.

In Vicksburg, he was a member of Porter’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

Tommy is survived by his sister, Patricia “Pat” Simrall and by nephews, nieces, and numerous dear friends to honor his loving memory.

Tommy’s parents were William H. “Bill” and Lois Thomas Simrall of Vicksburg. His grandparents were W. C. and Wilhelmina Regan Simrall and James A. and Mabel Hilderbrand Thomas. Tommy was the great-grandson of Mississippi Supreme Court Justice, Horatio Fleming Simrall.

Tommy Simrall was preceded in death by J. Preston Savell, his life mate for 42 years; by his parents; his brother, James H. “Jimmy” Simrall; his sister, Emma Jean Simrall Long; and nephew, Terry Lee Long.

Tommy was loving, kind, and generous to a fault and he traveled to the beat of a different drummer. He loved and enjoyed beauty of all forms. He enjoyed every day of his life and felt truly blessed.

Tommy donated his body to UMMC for science.

His family and friends wish to thank Dr. Albert F. Chiemprabha, Dr. George Abraham, Dr. Carlos Latorre.

We thank nurses and therapists Stephanie, Debra, Nina, London, Charlotte, Jennifer, Michael, Misty and Paula.

Memorials may be made to Porters Chapel United Methodist Church, 200 Porters Chapel Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180 or to Gilliam United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 356, Gilliam, LA, 71029-0356 or to your favorite charity.

No floral gifts please.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Porter’s Chapel United Methodist Church at 200 Porter’s Chapel Road, Vicksburg, MS.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. with the Memorial Service beginning at 11 a.m.

The Rev. Don Williams will be leading the service.