Papa-Obit

To our Papa, our giant, our hero, our king, The man who could fix anything — car, toy, or swing. You had hands like magic, and a heart made of gold, A laugh that could warm us, a soul strong and bold. You taught us to hustle, to love, and to fight, And that some things can’t be fixed unless you do it right. We’d sit in your lap or ride shotgun with pride, Knowing with Papa, we were always on the right side. You didn’t need capes or to fly through the skies, You had power in presence and truth in your eyes. And while you’d act tough when we’d ask for a snack, You’d cave in quick — “Go on now, y’all bring me one back.” You loved with your actions, your wisdom ran deep, And though you’re not here, your lessons we’ll keep. You made us feel special, like stars in your sky, The kind of Papa that legends live by. Now we’ll carry your strength, your charm and your way, From our hearts to the heavens, every single day. And though we’re still growing, we’ll never outgrow, The love of our Papa — the realest we know. We love you forever, now rest and be free, From all of your grandkids — your beautiful legacy.

Papa, You didn’t just raise me , you shaped me. You gave me your name, your time, your wisdom, and more love than I could ever measure. Ever since I can remeber, you always showed up — to every game, every school function, every moment that mattered. I’d look up in the stands and there you were, steady as ever, making sure I knew someone was rooting for me. You weren’t just my Papa, you were my protector and my hero. I will forever cherish our jokes, the debates, and watching the game side by side. Every time I put on a fit, it will forever remind of the dressing competitions. You’d come out clean, look me up and down, and say, “You tried, but I still got you beat.” And most of the time? You did. We shared more than a name, we shared a bond that most people only dream of. While I’ll miss our banter and the trash talk, I’m mostly just thankful. Thankful you raised me, stood by me, and loved me unconditionally. You showed me how to be a man without ever needing to say much, just by being you. I love you, Papa. And every time I lace up, suit up, or speak up — I’ll carry you with me. Forever your boy, Robert

To the man who raised me, my role model, my support system, my twin, my Papa, my very best friend… I don’t have the words to truly express what it means to lose you. I’m still trying to wake up from what feels like a bad dream. I never imagined I’d be writing this, not so soon. But even in this heart break, I am reminded of how blessed I was to have had a Papa like you. You gave me a life many kids only dream of. You poured your heart, your time, your energy, and your love into raising me. You reminded me often how blessed I was, but the truth is, I was most blessed because I had you. As a little boy, all I ever wanted was to be by your side. Whether it was at the shop, at home in the yard, or out in the world; if you were there, that’s where I wanted to be. You were my safe place, my motivation, and my biggest cheerleader. You believed in every dream I had, no matter how big, and you never missed a moment to show up for me, especially when I needed you most. And when I fell, you didn’t hesitate to help me back up, reminding me that I was never alone and I always had my Papa if nobody else. One of my favorite memories will always be the night you drove all the way to Prairie View after a long day at work, just to see me in my pageant. You sat there, smiling from ear to ear as I was crowned king. That smile was worth more to me than any buckle, ribbon, trophy, check, or crown I’ve ever earned. That smile was everything. I lived to make you proud, and you never let a day pass without telling me how proud you were. Your faith was so strong, your love was pure, and your heart was made of gold. You were my real-life superhero. I know you were looking forward to seeing me walk across that stage and accept my degree. And even though you won’t be sitting in the crowd, I know you’ll still be there, watching from above, just like you were at every rodeo, every Friday night game, every livestock show, every competition, every award ceremony, and every pageant. Papa, there aren’t enough hours in a day, or days in a lifetime, to tell all the stories, relive all the laughs, or cherish all the memories we made together. This world feels different without you in it. I’ve lost my biggest cheerleader, my foundation, my best friend, and most of all my superhero. Thank you for everything. For loving me unconditionally. For raising me. For making me the man I am today. Forever your twin, Toi’Cean J. Simmons