Simmie E. Cameron

Simmie Easley Cameron, born December 30, 1922, died June 22, 2019. Simmie enjoyed 96 ½ years of life. He grew up on the farm near Jefferson City, TN. Simmie joined the US Army serving active duty from February 2, 1943 to April 2, 1946. He served in the European Theatre in the countries of England, France, Germany and Belgium. Simmie served as a Military Police Escort Guard, was briefly attached to a Combat Engineer Battalion, and later served in the Third Army under General George Patton. During his military duty Simmie developed an interest in airplanes, especially while serving in the Engineer Battalion. After the war ended, Simmie continued his love of airplanes with fellow buddies like Earl Ketner and Bruce Samples. He purchased his own small Aeronca Airplane and flew out of Swan’s grass air strip near the Cocke and Jefferson County line. Simmie used to joke about the day he flew solo to the Morristown, TN airport to take his first flying lesson from the renowned Evelyn Johnson. After serving as chief deputy sheriff under Sheriff John Goforth during the early 50’s, Simmie spend most of his working career doing maintenance for Hill Brother’s John Deere dealership in Morristown, TN and later with New Jersey Zinc Company in Jefferson City, TN. Simmie retired as maintenance supervisor over two zinc mines near Jefferson City, TN. Upon retirement and after suffering his first heart attack, Simmie and his bride Joy Thorpe Cameron moved to Pigeon Forge, TN. Simmie thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years in Pigeon Forge. You could almost always find him at Dollywood, talking to strangers and often inviting them to his home for coffee or sometimes (to Joy’s bewilderment) for supper. So, many “new friends” often showed up unannounced at Joy’s supper table. Fortunately for Simmie, Joy really loved cooking and entertaining new friends. For several years, Simmie worked at Dollywood demonstrating wheat thrashing using his dad’s John Deere Thrashing Machine powered by his Dad’s antique John Deere model D tractor, which Simmie had completely renovated to better than new condition. Simmie is preceded in death by his parents Porter Jarnigan Cameron and Martha Jane Gilbert Cameron as well as siblings, brothers Thurman (TH) Cameron and Lyndbergh (Lindy) Cameron, sisters Arminda Cameron Gann, Mary Alafair Cameron Cox, and Nina Mae Cameron Noe. Simmie is also preceded in death by his granddaughter Blakley Donica Cameron. Simmie is survived by his wife, Farris Joy Cameron, sons and (spouses) Donald Royce Cameron (Sharon), Porter Michael Cameron (Peggy), Larry Melvin Cameron (Jill), Roger Earl Cameron (Betsy), and Mark Gregory Cameron. Simmie’s surviving grandchildren include: Christy Cameron Lawson, Bradley Donovan Cameron, Michala Nicole Cameron , Scott Harmon Cameron, and Ross Widener Cameron . Surviving great- grand children include: Tanner Lawson, Faith Lawson, Nolan Andrew Cameron, Kai Simmie Cameron and Keira Joy Cameron and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of Flowers, the family asks for contributions to: French Broad Church of the Brethren, Cemetery Fund; 3306 Brethren Church Road; White Pine, TN 37890. Funeral services will be held, Monday, June 24, 2019, 2:00pm at the French Broad Church of the Brethren with, Rev. Justin Breeden officiating. The body will lie in state one hour before services at the church. Interment in the church cemetery with Military Honors. The family will visit and greet friends in the church fellowship hall following the burial service. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, DANDRIDGE.