Nickie Simmons

Nickie Frederick Simmons passed away Monday, May 9, 2022, at home peacefully with his wife, daughter Nicole and family by his side after a long illness. His family will rejoice in his life and praise God for all he accomplished in God’s Grace.

Nickie grew up in the Biloxi/D’Iberville area.  He was an athlete and played all sports at D’Iberville High School. He went on to MGCC College and Southeastern LA University where he played football.  After being drafted into the Vietnam War he came home and went to college where he received a degree in Criminal Justice from William Carey College. He began a long career in law enforcement where he served Biloxi, MS as a policeman, and as a corrections officer and became Captain over a CWC Center. When he retired from that service, he served the Federal Court in Gulfport as a Marshall until his Parkinson’s made it too difficult to continue to work.  He was often found spending time watching Saints football and eating Wesley’s smoked ribs and Bridget’s greens. His favorite activities were hunting, riding his ATV on the Wolf River and playing the Lottery every chance he could. And with his big-hearted generosity he would talk of his lottery winnings going to his children and grandbabies to pay for college tuition and never giving thought of giving to himself.  He was a very caring man who lived a good life and loved his Lord and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward Simmons and Thelma Brandt, sons, Nickie Simmons, Jr. and Eric Kyle Ladner, and son-in-law Kevin Beckham, father -in-law, BV Wilson, mother-in-law Beulah Wilson, and sister-in-law Frieda Wilson.

Nickie is survived by his wife Bernadine Wilson Simmons, children, Christi Simmons, Nicole Beckham, Tori Berggren (James), Wesley Ladner (Bridget), grandchildren, Nickie Simmons, III, Kala Simmons, Cody Foster, Nikkolas Beckham, Olyvia Beckham, Troy Beckham, Diamond Beckham, Alli Barq, Sabastian Barq, Trey Berggren, Hunter Berggren, James Berggren, Jr., Eric Ladner, Ashlynn Ladner, and Kamron Ladner, honorary granddaughter Ashley Cortez (Patrick), honorary great grandchildren Emmerlynn Cortez, and Alazne Hinton.

Pallbearers, Nikkolas Beckham, Cody Foster, Sabastian Barq, Eric Ladner, James Berggren, and Kenneth Saucier, Escorts, Troy Beckham, and Kamron Ladner.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to Parkinson’s Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org

Visitation will be held Friday, May 13, 2022, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS, from 12:00pm until time of funeral service at 2:00pm.  Burial will follow at Wolf River Cemetery.