H. Wayne Simmons

Reverend H. Wayne Simmons, 77, of Maryville, Tennessee, died peacefully in the arms of his family on Saturday, January 16, 2021. Born on June 9, 1943, to Myrtle Johnson Simmons and the Rev. Andrew Clay Simmons, Wayne spent his East Tennessee childhood hunting squirrels and playing guitar with his best friend and brother, Jerry. On March 31, 1962, Wayne married his sweetheart, Vivian – the two lovebirds commencing a beautiful life together devoted solely to God and Family. Wayne’s passion for Christ involved his notable 51-year ministry of evangelism, missions, and church pastorship – including tent meetings across the eastern US, church revivals though out the South, forays abroad (Haiti, Africa, and the Middle East), and of particular pride, seeding and pastoring Praise Temple Assembly of God in Alcoa, Tennessee. Wayne faithfully served as pastor, counselor, mentor and friend to countless people during his decades at this church. With his faithful brother Jerry, Wayne formed and ministered through the Simmons Evangelistic Team -- especially noted in “Can Somebody Shout Amen!: Inside the Tents and Tabernacles of American Revivalists,” a New York Times’s best-selling book by author Patsy Sims (1988). Supporting this evangelism for many years, Wayne hosted “The Voice of Praise” radio program from Knoxville, Tennessee’s regional WKXV station. Wayne’s lifelong passion for music led him to play acoustic and electric guitar, electric bass, mandolin, and sing alongside his brother in ministry. Favorite songs of Wayne included the Everly Brother’s “Dream,” Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” Gloria Gaither’s “Because He Lives,” Andrae’ Crouch’s “Bless the Lord,” and in what Wayne thought of as almost a Christian song, Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Wayne’s ministry and personal life were filled with a servant’s heart, great hope, much laughter, and vast love. Wayne and Vivian enjoyed 59 years of wonderful marriage, filled with children, a grandson, countless friends, home and travel (from Hawaii to Maine, from Illinois to Florida). Two special destinations for the couple included Caribbean cruises and frequent jaunts into the Great Smoky Mountains. Alzheimer’s was part of Wayne’s life for his last decade, and while it took much from him, he never stopped saying “I love you.” The Simmons family is especially thankful for his daughter’s gentle caregiving and his brother’s unwavering devotion. Wayne is survived by loving wife Vivian, daughter Tywanna and son-in-law Greg (the Big Boy) McDaniel, grandson Hunter McDaniel, son Rodney Simmons, and brother Jerry Simmons. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Wayne’s name to: Assemblies of God Missions, 1145 North Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802, contributions@ag.org Or Pat Summit Foundation, 520 Summit Hill Drive, No. 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902, info@summitfoundation.org. Friends may call at their convenience on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 at Smith Funeral & Cremations Service. Family and friends will assemble for graveside service and interment on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, TN 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of H. Wayne Simmons please visit our Sympathy Store.