Obituary Clarence “Chip” Simms, Jr. June 15, 1970 – August 12, 2016 Clarence “Chip” Simms, Jr. passed away unexpectedly at the age of 46 on August 12, 2016 at his home in New Orleans, LA. He is the son of Velta Haynes Simms and the late Clarence Joseph Simms, Sr. and brother of Kelly Simms Batiste. He attended McDonogh 35 Senior High School and then matriculated to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. where he earned his Bachelors in Accounting. He graduated from both institutions with high academic honors. A talented athlete, his interest in sports began at the age of 6 at Milne Playground, where he played football, baseball, and what ultimately became his passion, basketball. He was the captain of the Roneagles, his high school basketball team, where he first wore #20. At Georgetown University, Chip spent years playing in the intramural league, where he often bragged about the many games his team won. He would later join the Hoyas basketball team as a walk on. His passion for the sport fostered a career in coaching at Georgetown, the University of Memphis and the University of New Orleans. As an adult, his love for the game continued through his time as a member of five-time champion “The Rule Nation” basketball team. He spent countless hours talking trash, debating or just relaxing with his fellow teammates and other competitors under “the tree” after each game. After graduating from Georgetown, Chip moved to New York to join Ernst & Young, eventually becoming a Certified Public Accountant. However, corporate America created too many boundaries for his free spirit. While applying to journalism school, he was presented with an opportunity to take advantage of the real estate boom in Atlanta, GA. He and his business partner, who was also a childhood friend, successfully developed a residential subdivision. After his time in Atlanta, Chip passed the Series 7 exam, and moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL to work as a stock trader. He later returned to New Orleans and joined the team at Seaside Behavioral Centers, where his leadership yielded three additional centers opening.
Chip worked hard and played hard, living life to the fullest. He enjoyed spending quality time with family over a competitive game of Taboo, the annual Essence Music Festival with his friends, playing basketball with The Rule, and weekend strolls on Magazine St. with his fiancée, Charlene. Chip leaves to cherish his memory his loving fiancée, Charlene D. Carthon, his mother, Velta Haynes Simms, his sister, Kelly Simms Batiste (Joseph), the joy of his life, his niece, Clarke J. Batiste and nephew, Joseph L. Batiste, IV. He is also survived by Brandon Theard and his uncles John Haynes (Wanda), George Haynes (Yolanda), Joseph Haynes (Denise), Taylor, Frank, and Mike Haynes and Orson Adams and his aunts Mary Haynes-Smith (Linton), Leverne Scott (Arthur), Ophelia Coleman (E.C.), Jeanie Adams and a host of cousins and family members.