Mark Warren Simmons

Mark Warren Simmons of Johntown, Texas who was born on August 2, 1973, in Sherman, Texas, the first of two sons born to James Melvin and Marilyn Camille (Bishop) Simmons, took his final breath on earth and was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Friday night, September 17, 2021, from injuries sustained from a car accident at the age of 48. Mark was currently serving as the Pastor of Johntown Missionary Baptist Church in Johntown, Texas. Before coming to Johntown, he served his Lord and Savior as a Worship Pastor and as a Youth Pastor. His earlier pastorates include Ridgeway Baptist Church in Nashville, Arkansas; Christ Point in Arkadelphia, Arkansas; Lake Ouachita, in Mount Ida, Arkansas; Highland Heights in Benton, Arkansas; and Cross Roads Missionary Baptist, also in Benton, Arkansas. He was a former instructor at the Clark County Christian Academy in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Mark was passionate about loving people the way Jesus loved them. He had a heart for missions, evangelism, and discipleship and overflowed with the joy of the Lord. He was a lover of people and of the community in which he lived. Mark served as chair of the local food pantry. He loved the students of the Rivercrest schools and was like a father to many of them, often referring to the students as "his kids." He loved to fish, and enjoyed writing and making music with his brother, Jim, and anyone else he could find. His family was the light of his life; he was a devoted husband and father. Those left to carry his legacy and cherish his memory are his adoring wife of 21 years, Caroline Simmons; his mother and stepfather, Camille and Ernest Izard of Bogata, Texas; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Katy and Mike Golden of Springdale, Arkansas; five wonderful children, Laurine Katherine, Georgia Camille, Elijah Michael, Anna Gwendolyn, and Gabriel Alexander Simmons, all of Johntown, Texas; his brother Jim and wife, Susan Simmons, of Longview, Texas; many brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews; and innumerable close friends around the globe. He is preceded in death by his father, and grandparents, Mark and Laurine Bishop and Orba and Earl Shaw. A celebration of Mark's life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Rivercrest High School gym. Officiating will be Bro. Bob Wiegel and Bro. Roy Brooks. The Staff and Deacons of Johntown Missionary Baptist Church, whom Mark regarded as his "Mighty Men," will serve as honorary pall bearers.