Justin S. Simons

Jason Brown

Roland Scott

Eric Salaam, Sr.

Michael Simons

Kenmaynard Scott, Jr.

Cousins

Gill Creek Missionary Society

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shadow due to change.

The family of the late Dwight S. Simons wish to express their greatest

appreciation for your kind thoughts and expressions of sympathy. Whether a

call, card, text, flowers, food, words, prayers or any simple kind of expression to

console our hearts, we appreciate your gratitude.

Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home

2930 Colonial Drive

Columbia, South Carolina 29203

Willie A. Tompkins, Founder

(803) 254-2000

bosticktompkinsinc.com

Dwight Steven Simons was born March 5, 1953 in the old Columbia Hospital in

Columbia, South Carolina. He was the beloved son of the late Justice and Vivian

Johnson Simons. After an extended illness, God reached out His hand and told him

it was time to come home. Trusting in God until his final moments, Dwight

peacefully passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at his home.

He graduated from A.C. Flora High School in Richland County School District One.

A stellar athlete in high school, Dwight’s heart was playing football. He was a

standout linebacker for the Falcons, playing all four years, and lettering for athletic

excellence. After graduating, he completed coursework and received certifications

from Midlands Technical College and the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

A self-made business man, Dwight honed his trade as a ceramic and marble tile

layer. He worked side by side with his father, Justice Simons, as CEO of Simons Tile

Company for more than 50 years. He became a master at his trade with his

reputation for excellence preceding him. He continued working with several

independent corporations while working at Simons Tile as well. His many business

associates included Leon Hyatt, Michael J. Mungo, Laffite & Weeks Builders,

Manning Construction Co., D.P. Bouknight, PBC Builders, Crosswaite Construction

Building, Duval Construction, Lexington Partners, Miller Turner, Langley

Construction Co., Outing Construction Co., Propst Construction Co, Southern Tile,

H. H. Corley, Richard Marsh Construction Co., Marvin Williams, William Burroughs,

D.K. Brooks, David Frick Construction Co., Jack Shivers with the Department of

Juvenile Justice, Unique Builders, Hugh Roberson Tile Company, Wilkes

Construction Co., and Eddie Squire Builders. Always a hard worker, Dwight was a

diligent business man who prided himself on finishing a job and making perfect

his final presentation.

At an early age, Dwight joined Gill Creek Baptist Church, where he was a faithful

member of the Usher Board, Jubilee Choir, Trustee Ministry, Male Chorus, and

Brotherhood Ministry. His favorite times were singing on the choir alongside his

father, and eventually with his daughter as she led worship services through

music. Dwight loved traveling with the Jubilee Choir and fellowshipping with local

churches. He’d have a great time praising God through song. He was a deeply

spiritual person with his favorite scripture being Psalm 90. His life was a living

testimony of his faith in God; and even though he was ill, his life was rich with many

blessings.

In 1983, Dwight married his neighborhood sweetheart, Avondale Banks. This

union was filled with more than 34 beautiful years of love, happiness, and

devotion. They were blessed with a daughter, Vivian.

Dwight, lovingly known as “Papae”, “Whitey”, and “Dee-Whitey” to family and

friends, was a wonderful, loving, kind-hearted and caring person. Those who knew

him loved him as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, role model, and

friend. His greatest times were spent laughing and cracking jokes with his wife,

daughter, and son-in-law. He loved watching westerns (his favorites being Clint

Eastwood movies), fishing, and cooking. Whenever you visited, you never left

hungry, as there was always something to eat. Most of all he, loved being “Papae”

to his granddaughter, with whom he got to spend the entire summer, following his

illness. Though he is no longer with us physically, his loving and kind spirit will

forever live in the hearts and lives of all who loved and knew him.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, LaMaris Simons-Gantt,

and father-in-law, Benjamin L. Banks.

Those left to cherish his precious memories are his wife, Avondale B. Simons of

Columbia, South Carolina; his daughter, Vivian A. (Mathew) Simons-Profit, and

precious granddaughter, Lundyn Rian Profit, all of Summerville, South Carolina;

brothers, Harold Michael (Louella) Simons of Augusta, Georgia and Lorenzo C.

(Doreatha) Mills of Lake City, Florida; and sisters, Cecelie J. Simons of Columbia,

South Carolina and Kim W. Thomas of Hopkins, South Carolina. He also leaves to

mourn his passing his mother-in-law, Margaret S. Banks of Columbia, South

Carolina; nephews, Justin S. (Joanna) Simons of Columbia, South Carolina and

Michael X. Simons of Augusta, Georgia; nieces, Michelle L. Simons of Augusta,

Georgia, and Justina S. Simons of Columbia, South Carolina; aunts and uncles:

Gertrude Dickerson of St. Louis, Missouri, Bertha Simons of Irmo, South Carolina,

Wadell (Geneva) Simons of Los Angeles, California, Abdul Salaam of Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania and Virginia Johnson of Columbia, South Carolina; as well as many

cousins, other loving family, and friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.

I’m at rest now, so don’t cry;

It’ll get easier as time goes by.

I’ve done my best to live a good life,

For I knew, if I did, I would be with God and have no more strife.

As my body lies there, it’s only a shell.

God has called me home, and my job I’ve done well.

Now I’m happy and very content,

For the things I’ve done wrong, I repent.

As I see your faces, that makes me sad,

But I have made it, and for that I am glad!

You know and I know that it’s hard on earth —

So you shouldn’t cry at death, but a birth.

I have no worries, pain or fears,

Because I’m with God, so dry your tears,

I love you all, and this is what I want you to do:

Put God first in your life,

And I’ll be seeing you.

Prelude ............................................................................................... “Singin’ Over Yonder”

Processional ............................................................................................. Clergy and Family

Final Farewell to Our Beloved “Papae” .......................... Bostick-Tompkins Staff

Hymn of Praise ............................................................ “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” Gill Creek Baptist Church Combined Choirs

Scripture Readings

Old Testament ..............................................................Reverend Adam Spencer

New Testament .............................................................. Minister Karen Pearson

Prayer of Comfort .................................................................... Reverend Willie Simons

Selection............................................... Gill Creek Baptist Church Combined Choirs

Reflections (three minutes please) ................................................................. Abdul Salaam On Behalf of the Family

Willie Suber A Family Friend

Cheryl Goodwin A Church Member

Mathew L. Profit On Behalf of the Family

Acknowledgments and Reading of Obituary ................................. Rosie M. Berry A Family Member

Selection............................................................................................... Vivian Simons-Profit Dwight’s Daughter

Words of Comfort............................................... Reverend James C. Woodley, MDiv

Recessional

Postlude......................................................................................................A Medley of Songs Gill Creek Baptist Church Combined Choirs

Committal, Closing Prayer, Benediction & Interment

5101 Fairfield Road • Columbia, South Carolina