Obituary for James Ellis Simms at Wm. Reese & Sons Mortuary, P.A. (2024)

~MASK REQUIREMENT ~
At all times, everyone must wear a mask inside the funeral home.

~CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE~
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Public Viewing/Wake: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m.
at
William Reese and Sons Mortuary, P.A.
1922 Forest Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401

~VIRTUAL SERVICE~

Due to the continuous uptick in numbers with the pandemic, in-person attendance at the funeral service, at Reese and Sons Mortuary, will be limited to 60 people. In lieu of being able to physically attend the funeral service, all are welcomed to watch the live stream service, via Zoom, by clicking on the following link on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2897890676.

~THE OBITUARY~
To view the full program, click on the "View Photo Galleries" tab, located under Send A Card.

James Ellis Simms, also known as “Dean” or “Bucky,” was born on February 8, 1960, in Baltimore, MD. He was preceded in death by his father Lawrence William Booze. He spent his early years with his mother, Ozella M. Thomas, and his step-father, James Ellis “Hop” Blunt. At the age of six, he went to live with his maternal grandmother, Elsie Parker Simms (deceased), who raised him to adulthood.

As a teenager, James attended Bladensburg High School. There he displayed his athletic abilities as a wrestler and football player, which resulted in many awards and trophies. James spent most of his career in Public Works and the latter part of his career was spent working for the Prince George’s County Public School System from which he retired.

James’ cousin Kimberly has a best friend named Rochelle Fletcher. Every time Kimberly would bring Rochelle around the family, James would always try to talk to her, but she always said no. This cat and mouse game went on for a couple of years. Then one weekend in August 1998, Rochelle, James and his mother Ozella were at an all-star baseball game. James introduced Rochelle to everyone as his Fiancé. The next day, they all went back to see another baseball game and now he was introducing Rochelle as his wife. The three of them sat side by side watching the baseball game and Rochelle nudge Ozella and told her to look at her son. James was rubbing Rochelle’s knee. His mother Ozella said “Bucky why are you rubbing on her leg?” and he replied, “Well you have to start somewhere.” Needless to say, from that day on he and Rochelle remained together for 23 years until he died.

Everyone knows James was a big dreamer. After retiring, he decided to start his own recycling and trash removal business, which he referred to as his “Empire.” He was so proud of himself. Another fact that everyone knows about James is he loved his family. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to help you if he could. He made a point to show his mother how much he loved her by the thoughtful things he would do for her. He would take her a soda and a donut 6:30 am before he would start his day. Sometimes he would call his mother and tell her to come to the door and when she did, he would give her a big kiss and a hug and tell her that’s all he came by for.

He not only loved Rochelle, but happily stepped into the roll of step-father and grandfather and he loved every minute of it. He finally had his own family to love and care for and he took his role seriously. He also, loved to brag about his grandchildren and their accomplishments.

Although his step-son, Darius Fletcher, preceded him in death, James leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Ozella M. Thomas of Capitol Heights, MD; Fiancé, Rochelle Fletcher of Glenarden, MD; one step-daughter, Shatara Fletcher; four grandsons, DaMarius Fletcher, DaMarco Fletcher, D’Arjey Fletcher and Darius Fletcher, Jr.; one granddaughter, Sania Fletcher; two brothers, Dirk Booze and Lawrence Booze, Jr.; two sisters, Detanja Booze and Detra Jones; two sisters-in-law, Crystal Randall-Booze and Dawn Booze; one brother-in-law, Clifford Jones; four nephews, one niece, and a host of cousins, friends and other loving relatives.

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