Clement "C.B." Bedell Simmons

Clement Bedell Simmons (C.B.) of Vidor, Texas, passed away peacefully in his home on February 20, 2025 at the age of 90 years old. He was born on November 21, 1934 in DeRidder, Louisiana to Travis and Eugenie Bailey Simmons. 

C.B., or Bedell as he was known by his family and friends in Louisiana, grew up in DeRidder as a child and young man. He married his wife, Madeline Garlington Simmons, on February 2, 1973 and worked in the oil field industry for a number of years. They lived in Mississippi during this time before moving to Vidor, Texas, where he joined the Ironworkers, Local 125. For many years, he worked as an ironworker in southeast Texas. However, when jobs became scarce in this area, he worked all over the United States. Although this meant being away from his family, he did whatever it took to provide. From the late 1980s until his retirement in 2002 at the age of 67, he worked in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. After he retired, C.B. spent most of his time tending a garden in Grant, Louisiana where he and Madeline planted corn, peas, watermelons, cantaloupes, and other fruits and vegetables. His garden was always beautiful and gave a plentiful harvest. C.B. was a member of Pine Forest Baptist Church in Vidor, as well as a member of the Sam Todd Masonic Lodge #182 in Sugartown, Louisiana; the Vidor Masonic Lodge #1286 in Vidor, Texas; and the Pine Forest Masonic Lodge #1420 in Vidor, Texas.

C.B. never met a stranger. He loved to visit, talk about his family tree, travel to historical sites, listen to Merle Haggard, and go through photos of the past with anyone who would sit and listen to his stories about where he was and what he was doing when the picture was taken. One story always led to another. People were a priority to C.B., so he found time to stop and visit with his family and friends when he was near their home, as he was rarely in a rush. When his family, friends, or neighbors needed help, he was always willing. Whether their lawnmower was on the brink, their car wouldn’t start, or they needed advice and help building something, he was there to offer wisdom, direction, and a hand in the labor itself. Working hard was a way of life, but in his later years, you would often find him sitting in a rocking chair on his front porch. Everyone knew they were welcome to stop and have coffee, no matter the time of day.

C.B. is survived by his wife of 52 years, Madeline; his children Rosemary Carroll of Pitkin, Louisiana; Jeaneen Brown of DeRidder, Louisiana; Calvin Simmons of Pitkin, Louisiana; Dewayne Simmons of Lake Charles, Louisiana; Casey Hancock and her husband Chuck of Hamshire, Texas; and Mark Simmons of Vidor, Texas; his grandchildren Nicholle Maddox and her husband Frankie of Carthage, Texas; Salena Simmons; Alisha Simmons; Kerry Simmons; Mitchell Simmons; Megan Simmons; Nathaniel Simmons; Wendy Williams; Kalli Fewell and his wife Brittany; Kisha Ashworth and her husband Joel of DeRidder, Louisiana; Annie Harper and her husband Stephen of Sugartown, Louisiana; Brandt Hancock of Hamshire, Texas; Makenna Hancock of Hamshire, Texas; his brother, Raymond Simmons of DeRidder, Louisiana; as well as numerous great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Travis and Eugenie Simmons; his brothers Guthrie Simmons, Cody Simmons, Forrest Simmons, Leland Simmons; and his sister, Tressie Cooley.

A gathering of C.B.’s family and friends will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2025 with the funeral immediately following at 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor. His interment will be on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Palestine Baptist Church Cemetery in Grant, Louisiana. There will be a short graveside service for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in C.B.’s name to one of the following organizations:

Dry Creek Baptist Camp--https://drycreek.net/support/ 

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital--https://www.stjude.org/give.html

First Baptist Church Hamshire, Youth Ministry-- https://onrealm.org/FBCHAMSHIRE369/-/form/give/default

A special thank you to Pastor Keith Herrin, the caregivers of Amedisys Hospice, and the Orange County Fire Department for their compassion and exceptional care during C.B.’s extended illness. In particular, the family would like to thank Robin Ratcliff for the love and care that she showed C.B. Over the span of approximately four years, Robin went over and above, not just as nurse but as a friend. We are forever grateful to this group of people who ensured his comfort and handled each of his last days with grace.