Simmons, Burleigh Meredith (Burl) 61 of Bryans Road, Maryland departed this life on Friday, September 6, 2013 at the Laurel Regional Hospital in Laurel, Maryland.

Burl was born December 10, 1951 to the late Francis M. and Fern E. Simmons. He received his formal education through the Charles County Public School System. He graduated from Lackey High School in June 1971.

His first job in 1971 was as an auto mechanic at PEPCO in Washington, DC where he worked until May 1972, he then transferred to the Naval Ordnance Station in Indian Head, Maryland, remained there until his retirement in December 2006 after 30 years and 8 months of service. During his tenure there he held positions as Auto Mechanic, Painter and Rigging Inspector. Burl rarely missed a day from work.

Burl was a friendly and fun-loving man. He loved car racing, boating, fishing, bowling and was in the process of learning to play golf. For many years he was a motorcycle rider. He was an avid Redskins fan. He truly loved the outdoors. He would often disappear for hours working on the cars, he insisted on doing his own maintenance.

Burl was known for his many different handshakes and jokes. Burl could and would talk for several hours without a loss for words. Although Burl didn't have any children, he loved them and treated his granddaughter, nieces and nephews as his own. Burl could remember everyone's birthdate and age.

Burl studied the Seventh Day Adventist Message under Claudrick Prince and Donald Green in 1994 then accepted Christ as his personal savior in 1995 and joined the Pisgah Seventh Day Adventist Church where he was baptized by Pastor Melvyn E. Hayden. He served faithfully as Fifty-Plus Leader, Community Services Leader and Community Services Assistant. He was an ordained Deacon and took his Deacon duties very serious. On his day of Sabbath duties, he was found at church very early in the morning, this was the only day he would leave without Gloria. He worked in many other ministries in the church until illness prevented him from attending. He was often out in the community helping others, witnessing and testifying about the goodness of the Lord.

On February 20, 1999, Burl and Gloria were united in Holy Matrimony and were inseparable. You rarely saw one without the other. His life has come to a close and he is now resting, awaiting the call of the Life Giver.

Burl leaves to cherish fond memories, his loving and devoted wife, Gloria; granddaughter, Paris Orr; stepson, Carterrys Orr; sister, Tina Ball; three brothers, Don, Gary and Chris Simmons; mother-in-law, Callie Brown; four sisters-in-law, Pam, Joanne, Tracy Simmons and Vivian Wilson; two brothers-in-law, Fred Ball and Christopher Brown, Sr.; niece, Jasmine Simmons; three nephews, Christopher, Kyle and Tevin Simmons and a host of other family and friends.

Viewing, Thursday, September 12, 2013 from 6 to 9pm and on Friday, September 13, 2013 from 10:30am until 10:50am; Service 11:00am at the Pisgah Seventh Day Adventist Church, 5830 Bumpy Oak Road, Bryans Road, Maryland 20616. Interment, Heritage Memorial Cemetery, Waldorf, Maryland.

Arrangements provided by Thornton funeral Home.