Mr. Thomas Lee Simms was born to the late Ella Jean Woods and John Dorsey Simms, June 25, 1963 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Upon his birth, he was placed in the care of the late Troy and Flossie Mae Stewart who raised him along with their children Troyleta (predeceased), Troy Jr. and Terry Stewart in Pittsburgh, PA. He attended Belmont Elementary and graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1981. Thomas later moved to New Jersey where he met his first wife Lisa along with her two sons, giving them his name and not long after welcoming their first son together, Thomas Jr. Unfortunately, after over a decade later, Thomas and Lisa parted ways resulting with him raising his son Thomas Jr. as a single dad. He was an intentional hard worker and believed as he was raised, to be the provider and leader of the home. He was a Master Maintenance Mechanic by trade and a Jack of most trades after work hours. His comfort, besides peace at home, was fixing electronics, cars and a computer game. His favorite shows were Sci-Fi’s.
Thomas was affectionately referred to as Tommy by family. He was a quiet social person and didn't party or do clubs. However, he would gladly participate in church fellowships and serene social gatherings. One of his pastimes was hanging out with his seniors. After some years, Thomas met Alexandria, his current wife from Brooklyn, NY through social media in 2011. At the time he was a member of Ruth Fellowship Ministries and served as a Deacon under the leadership of Reverend Tracy L. Brown in Plainfield, NJ. Thomas and Alexandria communicated via social media and phone learning they both shared common interests, primarily a love and reverence for The Lord. After dating then courting, Thomas and Alexandria exchanged vows in 2013 and blended families. He would tease her and say, "I came all the way to New York to get you just for Me." They moved from Plainfield to Irvington and were members of The First Baptist Church of Brownsville, Bk, NY. After the pandemic, they followed the leadership of Pastor Reginald Belton and became members of New Destiny Church and Ministries. Unfortunately, Thomas lost his job of 15 years due to major departmental downsizing and after landing another job soon after; shortly thereafter, he encountered his first stroke.
Although Thomas bounced back it wasn't quite the same as his health began to slowly decline. June 6, 2025 Thomas suffered a major ischemic stroke from which he never recovered. Succumbing to this fatal incident, Thomas was called to rest on Thursday morning, February 26, 2026 at Grove Park Health care and Rehabilitation Center.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife; Alexandria, son; Thomas Jr. and his brothers; Hakeem & Tyron, his stepchildren; Yolanda (Lee), Hazel Dillard, and Percy Dillard, 2 brothers-in-love; Troy Stewart Jr. (Donna) and Terry Stewart, eight grandchildren from his blended family, and a host of family friends and Special brothers in Christ; Deacon Dorsey and Brother Stony of New Destiny Church and Ministries of Brooklyn, NY.