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Everett Casey Simmons, M.D.

Everett Casey Simmons, M.D., died at home in early March 2022.  He was 81 years old.

Casey was born at his family’s homeplace “up on the mountain” near Pikeville, Tennessee.

He was the beloved husband of Joan Shepherd Simmons for 56 years, the proud father of Sam (Alixanne) Simmons, and the vocally proud and loving grandfather of Eliza Rose and Everett Simmons.

As one of eight siblings, Casey is also survived by his brothers William H. Simmons and Wayne T. (Sandra) Simmons; brother-in-law John (Sylvia) Shepherd; sister-in-law Sharon Youngkin; as well as a number of nephews, nieces, and cousins.

After graduating from Bledsoe County High School, Casey served in the U.S. Army from 1962-1964, and eventually graduated from Berea College in Kentucky in 1966. He attended medical school at the University of Tennessee-Memphis and completed his psychiatry training at Hall Institute in South Carolina.

As a physician, he was a firm believer in primum non nocere — “first, do no harm”— and went on to practice psychiatry for more than 30 years, helping thousands of patients over the course of his career, and influencing numerous medical students and residents. After retiring, Casey spent more time fishing with Joan, traveling to see his grandkids, and reconnecting with old friends and colleagues.

An informal, outdoor remembrance will be held at the pavilion/picnic shelter behind the Pikeville Church of God on South Main Street between 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6. If you attend, please be COVID-safe and wear a mask if you have been sick recently or have cold/flu symptoms. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the Bledsoe County Public Library.

Local arrangements were handled by Putnam-Reed Funeral Home, 1171 Main Street, Pikeville.

2 Comments

  1. Janet Osborne Hoke on May 1, 2022 at 5:38 pm

    Joan, was saddened to know that Casey passed away. You will surely miss him terribly. My prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for the chemistry notebook. My children have enjoyed looking thru it. Janet

  2. Juan Carlos De Virgiliis on October 6, 2022 at 3:44 pm

    Good evening. I am Juan Carlos De Virgiliis, a physician who was a resident at East Carolina University psychiatry department between 1990 and 1993. Dr. Simmons taught me so much about psychiatry, about life and about myself that it is hard from me to measure how much I gained by knowing him. Applying his principles I continue to grow and make “discoveries” on my own. I loved him and revered him as a father, and I deeply regret he is no longer with us. I would like to know, if it is not an imposition, the date of his departure. I wish his family the best. Thank you.

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