Edward A. Simmons

Memorial services for Edward A. Simmons will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2022 at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church with Rev. Marcus Cosby officiating.

Ed was born April 4, 1940 in Brazoria, TX. He was the fourth of five children born to Edward and Lillian Simmons. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Clifford and sister, Gladys.

Ed was known as Jr. Simmons from elementary school until he graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1959. During his high school years he won student council president twice and was an active player on the football team and on the basketball court as the team captain. After high school, Ed went on to study Electric Technology and Industrial Management at Texas Southern University. It was at TSU, in math class, that Ed met and married the woman sitting behind him, Burnette Smiley.

After graduating from Texas Southern University, he began a career at Texas Instruments holding several management positions in the area of Field Service. He received many honors during his tenure there, including an induction into Texas Instrument's Quality Hall of Fame. During the years of 1986 to 1988, Ed also served as the president of the oldest minority engineering organization, the National Technical Association (NTA). In 1997 he was inducted into the Wall of Honor Program at Texas Southern University where he was an instructor, lecturer and consultant for the university.

Ed was a member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church for 56 years. While at Wheeler he along with his friend, Carrington Stewart, installed the first comprehensive audio-visual system for Wheeler. He was ordained as a deacon and served as one for over 40 years. He also led and cherished his family group number 3 until moving to Austin, retaining the many relationships formed over the years. He also served on the Board of Trustees for several years. He enjoyed carpentry, gardening and genealogy.

After surviving a diagnosis of stomach cancer in 2002, he became a member of the CanCare organization, a cancer support group. Through the organization, Ed provided hope and encouragement to others given the same diagnosis and ensured that they wouldn't have to face their diagnosis alone.

To cherish his memory, Ed is survived by his wife, Burnette; daughters, Deltry Epps (Gary), Shelia Steward, and Tracy James (Kelvin); grandchildren, Letra [ohnican, Delwin Johnican, Garrett Epps, Nosa James, Nia James and Antoinette Steward; brother, Travis Simmons, sister, Lillian Medlock, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ed’s memory to Wheeler Avenue Cancer Ministry, 3826 Wheeler Avenue, Houston, TX  77004.

Services will be streamed live at www.wheelerbc.org.

Final arrangements entrusted to Dixon Funeral Home 979-849-8800.

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