Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church family celebrates Robert Matthew Simmons as “Father of the year 2025.”
In 2012, Simmons committed his life to Jesus Christ and joined Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church in 2019 where he serves a member of multiple choirs along with being on the trustee board and assistant superintendent of Sunday school.
Simmons was born March 29, 1950, in Salem, VA, to the now late Harry and Elizabeth Beane Simmons. He attended Carver School, graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1968 and attended Hampton Institute from 1968-1970.
He received an Honorable discharge from the U. S. Army in 1975 and in 1985 graduated from National Business College with an associate degree in Business – Computer Science. Simmons worked from 1975-1988 at the Veterans Hospital and held various other jobs until his retirement in 2010.
Simmons, the father of two children, Bryan and Tanya, also has five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and is brother to Rev. Harrilene Shackelford of Chesterfield, VA. He is married to Patsy Simmons and states that his idea of a great life is “serving the Lord and quiet vacations by automobile.”
The church celebrated with Robert and his family on Father’s Day, June 15 during the morning worship service.
