Robert Franklin Simms passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Born Nov. 28, 1949, in Williamston, NC, he was the son of the late Dr. Stewart B. Simms and Mary Ann Canaday Simms. Robert married DeAnne (Dee) Dobson, and together they had two sons. Over the years the family enjoyed music, drama, baseball, and cooking and gathering around the table. Robert was devoted to providing for and leading his family well and loved his wife faithfully for more than 52 years. He is survived by his wife Dee, sons Peter (Michelle) and Patrick (Lauren), and four granddaughters, Catherine, Anna Claire, Natalie, and Rachel.
A graduate of Greer High School Class of 1967, Robert attended Wake Forest University and majored in Theater Arts and Speech Communication. He found his place in the university theater, a discovery which would bring him great joy in the years to come. Upon graduation he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and prepared to answer the call on his life to preach God’s good news. Robert pastored churches in Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina for around 25 years.
Robert served the Lord and his churches with many talents, incorporating drama, piano and vocal artistry, photography, broadcasting, writing, and digital products long before personal computers became common. He gave multimedia presentations to churches on his trip to Israel or the Southern Baptist Convention. He was part of the conservative resurgence among Southern Baptists in the 80s and 90s, taking the lead role to found and write for Conservative Carolina Baptists.
Robert’s continuing love for dramatic arts showed up in his church work, where he wrote and directed several dramas and would present character sketches of Bible figures. For interested audiences, he put on a one man show as author and humorist Mark Twain. And in community theaters, he was loved for his roles in several Agatha Christie mysteries and My Fair Lady, where his British accent could fool a seasoned playgoer.
In 2006, Robert began a new career as a Summary Court Judge in Greer, SC, and sat on the bench for 13 years. He took great satisfaction in studying and applying the law, which appealed to his mind and called upon several of his gifts. He took a special interest in civil case work, and though his was not a court of record, he regularly wrote out and preserved his opinions.
During these same years, Robert discovered a love for riding a motorcycle. He maintained and rode the same bike through the years, sometimes with his wife or alongside a friend, but often content to have the freedom of a scenic back road. His journeys took him to the Florida Keys, Niagara Falls, and clear to the West coast—twice—and he made sure to photograph and write up his travels.
In retirement years, Robert was at his most productive as a writer, leaning on his life’s work and authoring new material as well. He had already collected sermons and studies into practical Bible commentaries and published on stewardship and missional cooperation. He added poetry and fiction that was based around biblical history. He wrote on language and law, and their connection to the Bible. He mused on aging and retirement. He commented on the culture and church ministry. And he authored volumes on devotional life, the soul, and heaven.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at The Wood Mortuary conducted by Rev. Paul White and Dr. Stewart B. Simms, Jr. Visitation will be held from 12:30-1:45 p.m. Oct. 18 at The Wood Mortuary. A private burial will be held at Wood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to VEXAS research at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Attn: Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations
P.O. Box 571021
Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021
In the memo, write "for VEXAS Syndrome Research"
Or visit giving.wakehealth.edu and click "Give Today" for online or phone options.
Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.
