Mark Warren Simmons, worship pastor at Johntown Missionary Baptist Church in Red River County, died Sept. 17 from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 48. Simmons was born Aug. 2, 1973, in Sherman to James Melvin and Marilyn Camille Simmons. Before coming to Johntown, he served several churches in Arkansas as a worship pastor and youth pastor. He was a former instructor at the Clark County Christian Academy in Arkadelphia, Ark. He was involved in the community and served at the local food pantry. He enjoyed writing and singing his own music. He was preceded in death by his father, James Melvin Simmons. He is survived by his wife of 21 years Caroline Simmons; children Laurine Katherine Simmons, Georgia Camille Simmons, Elijah Michael Simmons, Anna Gwendolyn Simmons and Gabriel Alexander Simmons, all of Johnstown; his mother and stepfather, Camille and Ernest Izard of Bogata; and his brother Jim and wife Susan Simmons of Longview. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 25 in the Rivercrest High School gymnasium. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 23 at Johntown Missionary Baptist Church.
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