Rochelle J. Simmons, 77, of Nederland, Texas passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Rochelle was born August 9, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas to the late Rochelle and Pauline Simmons. He served in the United States Air Force and was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and Third-Degree Knights of Columbus Nederland Council #5145. Rochelle had a love for the outdoors, with fishing, hunting, and camping being his favorite past time. He was a great mechanic and could fix anything he put his hands on. Rochelle was a great at carpentry work, gardening, and cooking. He raised animals such as, chickens, quails, and rabbits. He was a collector of coins, knives, and guns.
Rochelle is preceded in death by his parents, Rochelle Simmons and Pauline Judice Simmons; and his loving wife, Claire “Lynn” Simmons.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are his daughters, Jennifer Rabalais and her husband, Jason of The Woodlands, TX; and Janice Wilson of Nederland, TX; sons, Joe Simmons and his wife, Laurie of Nederland, TX; and Jeff Simmons of Nederland, TX; grandchildren, Dylan Rabalais and his wife, Ariel; Stephen Wilson, Gabe Simmons, Sarah Rabalais, Chase Wilson, Meagan Wilson, Maddie Simmons, Joshua Simmons, and Jessica Simmons; and great grandchild, Reign Wilson. Mr. Simmons is also survived by his siblings, Lucille Theriot, Frances Bourgeois, John Simmons, Julia Yeaman, Gladys Judice, David Simmons, Jane Schnell, Jim Simmons, and Dale Simmons.
A Christian Vigil will be held Sunday, March 21, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 4:30 p.m., at Melancon’s Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 22, 2021, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves.