Bowen Woodard Simmons (1894-1994) was the son of Wynona Bowen Simmons and Charles Woodard Simmons. He married Laura Varina Little in December 1923. They had two children, Bowen Eugene Simmons and Helen Simmons Carey. Judge Simmons served as Circuit Solicitor and later as Circuit Judge over a span of sixteen years in Covington and Geneva counties.
From 1917-1918, Judge Simmons served in World War I. Then in 1919 he graduated from The University of Alabama Law School and was admitted to the bar to practice law. Judge Simmons practiced law in Elba and in Enterprise from 1919-1920. Continuing his education, he studied law and economics from 1920-1922 at the University of Chicago. Bowen came to Opp in 1923 to open his law practice with his father as Simmons and Simmons.
Judge Simmons’ contributions to his profession were many. He practiced law in Opp from 1923-1942 and served as Opp’s City Attorney and City Clerk from 1924-1940. His expertise as an attorney was very helpful in Opp’s early years.
Also included in his outstanding career are the following positions: Assistant Attorney General, State of Alabama (1937-1938, 1942); Circuit Solicitor, 22nd Judicial Circuit Supernumerary Circuit Judge, State of Alabama (1958-1976); retired Circuit Judge, State of Alabama (1976-1994). His work also included writing opinions in conjunction with the Supreme Court of Alabama and its Court of Appeals.
Judge Simmons made great contributions to the appellate bench. Justice James N. Bloodworth, Alabama Supreme Court, wrote to Judge Simmons: ” I have long followed your career, first as Circuit Solicitor, later as Circuit Judge, and in your new and most important role as a Supernumerary Circuit Judge, serving on the Supreme Court. I have been impressed with the scholarship in your decisions and at the high workload you have been carrying.” James D. Pruett, Attorney at Law, Gadsden, Alabama, also wrote: “I wish to write to express my admiration for you lucid writing and keen analysis of the problems involved in the cases you have handled for the court. Your service on the Supreme Court must surely be the envy of many of the justices who fill its bench, and I congratulate you on it.
In addition to his law career, Judge Simmons was active in many other areas. He transferred his church membership to the First United Methodist Church of Opp in 1924. He was active in many church roles: superintendent of Sunday School, Men’s Bible Class teacher, and a member of the Board of Stewards. At the time of his death at age 99, he had been a church member longer than any other living individual.
His civic activities included vice-president and president, Alabama Circuit Judges Association; an organizer of the Opp Domino Club; member, Rotary Club; first president of Opp Lions Club; and Mason, Opp Lodge #605. Mrs. Varina Simmons was an accomplished musician who taught piano and violin to many of Opp’s youngsters. She was an Opp City Clerk during World War II.
Although Judge Simmons’ interest in Opp and its residents continued throughout his life, his wife’s health caused them to reside in Montgomery for the last twenty years. He remained loyal to Opp and was always concerned about the welfare of its citizens. His reluctance to give up Opp as his home is pointed out by his maintaining a post office box here long after he was unable to make the drive to Opp. He was a man of character with a strong sense of justice. Judge Simmons’ activities in church and civic activities indicate that he had the touch to “temper justice with mercy.” He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
