LINCOLNTON ~ Mercer Ward Simmons, 83, of Davidson, was a son of the late Alfred Francis Simmons and Vina Parrott Simmons. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1943 and joined the U.S. Navy, attending the UNC Chapel hill preflight school in the V-12 program. He was discharged in 1945, but returned to UNC to complete his education, graduating in 1949. It was at Chapel Hill that he met Peggy Ann Costner; they were married in Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Sept. 10, 1947. Mercer's business included insurance, real estate and the appraisal of real estate. He was an active member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and served as Treasurer of the N.C. Chapter, charter member and President of the Lincoln County Board of Realtors, charter member of Lincoln County Home Builders, member of the board of directors of Carolina First National Bank. He was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, serving on the Church Council. A lifelong Democrat, Mr. Simmons served as chairman of the Lincoln County Democratic Party. He was active in the founding of the Lincoln County History Museum. He served on the Board and as President of the Lincoln County Historical Society. In 1995, the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce honored Mr. and Mrs. Simmons with their volunteer award. In 1999, the Historical Society awarded Mr. and Mrs. Simmons with the Heritage Award in recognition of their many accomplishments in preserving and documenting local history. Throughout his life he was an avid gardener. During his retirement he became a Master Gardener. Mercer is survived by his wife, Peggy Costner Simmons; his four children; five grandchildren; his sister, Frances Gold of Greenville; and many nieces and nephews.
Interment in Hollybrook Cemetery.
Warlick Funeral Home is serving the Simmons family.

Published in The Daily Reflector on 4/4/2009