Ray Nelson Simmons of Pisgah Forest, passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2018. He was born in McDowell County on March 3, 1922 to the late Furman and Sarah Jaynes Simmons. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry and Gene Simmons.

Mr. Simmons attended Carolina Business School in Charlotte, NC. He honorably served in the US Army Air Corp. from 1943-1945 during WWII. Upon completion of his military service, he began his banking career as a teller at First National Bank of Marion, NC in 1945. He retired as the President of First Union National Bank of Brevard in 1988. He served for many years on the Brevard College Board of Trustees, the Transylvania County Hospital Board of Directors and as the president of the Transylvania County Chamber of Commerce. During his time at the Chamber of Commerce, he was instrumental in bringing the four lane highway from Asheville to Brevard. He received the Chamber of Commerce most distinguished praise, the Esther Wesley Award in 2009. He expressed his great love for the game of golf by serving as president of the Glen Cannon Country Club Board of Directors and playing the course at every opportunity. When not on the golf course, he loved cultivating the flowers in his immaculately maintained yard.

Survivors include his sweetheart and loving wife of 71 years, Dimples Fortune Simmons, daughter, Mary Alice Baker and husband Ben of Pisgah Forest, sister, Jewel Wells and husband Don of Whitesburg, GA and one grandson, Christopher Baker.

A Memorial Service will be held 2pm, Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church of Brevard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brevard College, 1 Brevard College Dr., Brevard, NC 28712.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com

Moody-Connolly Life Celebrations, 181 S. Caldwell Street, Brevard, NC 28712.