Simmons, Sattis

Passed: 1979-05-07

Age: 80

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1979-05-11

Information: FORMER PUBLISHER DIES - Sattis Simmons, 80, of Ripley, president of the Bank of Ripley and former editor-publisher of the Jackson Herald, died Monday night at Jackson General Hospital's extended care unit.  Mr. Simmons had been hospitalized for several months, but had remained active in monitoring events and activities in the county.  He was associated with the Bank of Ripley for 50 years, elected to a director's post in 1929.  He was named vice president in 1936 and became president Oct. 1, 1953.  Mr. Simmons was born at Kenna Nov. 15, 1898, a son of Clark and Flora Simmons.  As a young man, he became a school teacher, taught 14 terms and in 11 of them was a teaching principal.  He became publisher of the Jackson Herald on Jan. 1, 1922, and remained for 52 years.  The newspaper was a four-page hand set weekly paper, but in four years he built it into the dominant paper of the county.  Jackson County had one mile of paved road at that time.  He became one of the leaders in pushing road improvement.  He teamed with the then Governor Howard M. Gore in getting U.S. Rt. 21 paved from Ripley to Charleston and from Ripley to Parkersburg, which proved valuable in developing Jackson County.  In later years, he teamed with the then U. S. Senator Chapman Revercomb to have Interstate 77 routed through Jackson County.  The community leader urged the establishment of a youth center by the state, now known as Cedar Lakes, and led Jackson County's efforts to have it located in his county.  After the location was made, he served as state chairman of the fund drive for money to develop it.  In recognition of his efforts, both the Future Farmers and Future Homemakers made him a lifetime member of their organizations.  When agitation for rural electric co-ops in the county started, he discouraged it because he believed it would be better for the county for tax-paying utilities to do it.  As a result, he conferred with Clint Spurr of Monongahela Power and Newt Argabrite of Appalachian as both companies served the county.  They began surveys and today more than 95 percent of the homes and farms of the county have electricity.  In the Fourth War Bond Sale drive of World War II, Mr. Simmons was the Jackson County chairman and the county led all counties in the United States in per capita sales.  Also during World War II, a national contest was held by the wood and paper industries to have a slogan to increase pulpwood production.  He won the $1000 first prize in the nation.  Mr. Simmons organized the Little Kanawha Regional Council, composed of the counties of Wood, Wirt, Pleasants, Tyler, Ritchie, Roane, Calhoun and Jackson counties, and served seven years as its president.  Many of the programs organized for the economic development of the region are still in existence.  When it became known that the Kaiser company was looking for an eastern location, he joined with those promoting Jackson County as a possible site.  After the location was made in the county, he went to the west coast and its Kaiser plants for an ""on the spot"" study to learn how his town could benefit most.  Simmons was a key figure in directing a hospital fund drive that made Jackson General Hospital a reality. Before a contract could be awarded for construction of the hospital, it was necessary to have a fund of $1,015,000.  Dr. N. H. Dyer, state health director, the then candidate for governor, Hulett Smith, and officials of Kaiser urged Simmons to direct the hospital fund drive.  On his birthday, Nov. 15, 1964, a modernly equipped hospital was dedicated.  Mr. Simmons and his wife, the former Thelma Corbin, celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary June 20, 1970.  Mr. Simmons attended the Calvary United Methodist Church in Ripley where he taught the Sunday School class of young married couples, which was the largest Sunday School class in Jackson County.  Mr. and Mrs. Simmons were the parents of three children, including two daughters, Mrs. W. R. (Helen) Hinzman, Ripley, and Mrs. L. C. (Joyce) Burdette, Vienna, both of whom survive.  A son, Keith, who succeeded his father as publisher of the Jackson Herald, preceded him in death last May.  Other survivors include a brother, Guy, Given; four sisters, Mrs. Lillie Winter, Fairplain, Alma, Dollie and Marie Simmons, Given.  There are four surviving grandchildren, Chris Deese, Evans, Rebecca Burdette, Washington, D. C., Flora Lee McClanahan, Charleston and Rick Simmons, Ripley, publisher of the Jackson Hearld.  Two great-grandchildren survive, Dea and Bill Deese, Evans.  A granddaughter, Cynthia Burdette, preceded him in death.  Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 11 a.m. at Parsons Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Ralph Mahoney and the Rev. William Eaton officiating.  Burial will be in Fairplain Cemetery.  Members of the board of directors at the Bank of Ripley will be pallbearers.  Friends will be received at the funeral home after noon today (Wednesday).