After more than 19 years serving Bartlett as alderman, Bobby Simmons kept his final words at his last Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting short and sweet.

“I’m outta here, man,” a grinning Simmons told a delighted crowd, which included his wife, Sherry.

Simmons’ last day in the position is July 31. He informed the board of his decision to resign in late June, citing ongoing health-related issues.

Bartlett alderman to resign after nearly two decades in office

On Tuesday Mayor David Parsons honored Simmons with a key to the city, and the various board members expressed their gratitude and appreciation for him and his decadeslong commitment to Bartlett and Shelby County.

Alderman David Reaves remembered when Simmons was a referee for his Shelby Youth Sports football games when he was a kid. Simmons was one of the founders of Shelby Youth Sports, volunteering as a football coach and referee, and in 2010 he was inducted into the Amateur Sports Hall of Fame for 30 years of service to Memphis Parks.

“We’ve had some really fun political rivalry over the years, and I appreciate (him) always pushing me to be better,” Reaves said.

Alderman and Vice Mayor Jack Young has sat next to Simmons on the board for the past 19 years.

“I’ll miss you,” he told Simmons. “We’ve had the opportunity to have some unique discussions.”

Alderman Kevin Quinn called Simmons “a mentor and a friend.”

“I can’t tell you what you mean to me, what you mean to a lot of people — probably more people than you’ll ever know,” Quinn said. 

Simmons, a former Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputy for 35 years, ran unopposed in 2020 to win his fifth term as alderman. Last year, he announced a run for Bartlett mayor before withdrawing from the race due to a surgery and other health concerns.

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In August 2018, he ran for countywide office as the Republican nominee in the Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk race and lost to former Memphis City Council member Janis Fullilove in the general election.

Next Monday, July 31, the city will hold a special celebratory reception for Simmons at the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7 pm.

Bartlett’s charter requires the vacated alderman seat to be filled within 30 days from the effective date of the resignation, and the city began accepting applications from potential interim aldermen or alderwomen on July 12.

Applicants are required to submit a declaration of candidacy along with a cover letter explaining why they are the most qualified candidate for the position and a resume detailing professional experience, public service, and volunteer and charitable work.

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A board work session is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 3, to allow the BMA to vet the submissions, and then a second work session will be held on Thursday, Aug. 17, to conduct interviews with selected candidates.

The BMA will vote on Aug. 22 to determine who will fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term, which runs until the end of 2024.