Obituary for Dr. Matthew Simmons (Simmons)
Dr. Matthew Simmons, was born to the late Matthew Cotton and Francis Williams on May 11, 1956. Matthew was a man of great talent who loved life, people and music. He began his musical journey early in life leading to his high school years at William M. Raines where he excelled at playing the sousaphone.
In 1974 Matthew was awarded full music scholarship to Florida A&M University. There he became a member of the famed "Marching 100!" After his time at FAMU, Matthew joined the United States Army and its top military band, "Pershing's Own" wherein he had the honor of playing at presidential events and traveling the world.
After serving 20 years of distinction, Matthew retired from the U.S. Army and continued on to receive his Master’s and PhD Degrees in Music Performance and Conducting at the University of Memphis. He imparted his love of music to his students at South Carolina University during his tenure there. Matthew became a Professor of Music at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida where he also served a portion of that time as chair. His love for music led him to establish a private music school where he taught young people the art of music.
His professional affiliations included being a brother of Kappa Kappa Phi Music Fraternity and a brother of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Matthew touched many lives and was loved near and far. He departed this life on May 4, 2021 and was preceded in death by his father, Matthew Cotton; mother, Francis Williams and stepfather, Frank Simmons; sisters Angela Simmons and Arlene Swain.
Matthew leaves to mourn his passing: siblings,Carolyn Williams, Frank Simmons Jr. (Carolyn), Elizabeth Simmons, Diane Simmons Brown, Cynthia Chisolm, Debra Cotton, Roderick Cotton (Melinda), Cheryl Hall (Scott), Mark Cotton (Lorraine), Annette "Bohni" Parkman (Anthony), Veronica Cotton; stepmother, Ruth Cotton; aunt, Ida Mae Goggins (Herman), as well as a host of other aunts, an uncle, nieces, nephews, cousins and many other cherished friends.
The funeral service for Dr. Matthew Simmons will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 at the Samuel C. Rogers, Jr. Memorial Chapel, 4315 N Main St, Jacksonville, FL 32206. The visitation will be 5:00 - 6:45 p.m., and Private Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc Ceremony 6:45 - 7:00 pm., Monday, May 17th, 2021 at the Funerals by T.S. Warden, 4315 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206. Interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234.
In 1974 Matthew was awarded full music scholarship to Florida A&M University. There he became a member of the famed "Marching 100!" After his time at FAMU, Matthew joined the United States Army and its top military band, "Pershing's Own" wherein he had the honor of playing at presidential events and traveling the world.
After serving 20 years of distinction, Matthew retired from the U.S. Army and continued on to receive his Master’s and PhD Degrees in Music Performance and Conducting at the University of Memphis. He imparted his love of music to his students at South Carolina University during his tenure there. Matthew became a Professor of Music at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida where he also served a portion of that time as chair. His love for music led him to establish a private music school where he taught young people the art of music.
His professional affiliations included being a brother of Kappa Kappa Phi Music Fraternity and a brother of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Matthew touched many lives and was loved near and far. He departed this life on May 4, 2021 and was preceded in death by his father, Matthew Cotton; mother, Francis Williams and stepfather, Frank Simmons; sisters Angela Simmons and Arlene Swain.
Matthew leaves to mourn his passing: siblings,Carolyn Williams, Frank Simmons Jr. (Carolyn), Elizabeth Simmons, Diane Simmons Brown, Cynthia Chisolm, Debra Cotton, Roderick Cotton (Melinda), Cheryl Hall (Scott), Mark Cotton (Lorraine), Annette "Bohni" Parkman (Anthony), Veronica Cotton; stepmother, Ruth Cotton; aunt, Ida Mae Goggins (Herman), as well as a host of other aunts, an uncle, nieces, nephews, cousins and many other cherished friends.
The funeral service for Dr. Matthew Simmons will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 at the Samuel C. Rogers, Jr. Memorial Chapel, 4315 N Main St, Jacksonville, FL 32206. The visitation will be 5:00 - 6:45 p.m., and Private Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc Ceremony 6:45 - 7:00 pm., Monday, May 17th, 2021 at the Funerals by T.S. Warden, 4315 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206. Interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234.