VALIER – Dakota James Simmons, 16, of Valier, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

He was born on May 20, 2009, in Ocean Springs, MS, to Bobby James and Tamara Dawne (Bean) Simmons. He is survived by his mother and father, Bobby and Tamara Simmons of Valier; and siblings: Aerial (Nick) Holliman of Mississippi, Dystany (Dylan) Cook of Mississippi, and Landen Simmons of North Dakota.

He loved working on cars, especially his Corvette, and also loved racing go karts. He was dual enrolled at John A. Logan and Rend Lake Community College working towards his degree in HVAC with hopes of one one day opening his own business.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting monetary donations to finish restoring his 1985 Corvette he loved dearly. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from noon until the time of the service at 3 p.m.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.