SIMPSON, Lemuel Wright
Obituary
"This obituary was sent to me by Donna Johnson Brawley. Lemuel W. Simpson is the son of Wright and Samantha 'Cates' Simpson. He married Meekie Hooper. He is the grandson of Thomas James and Nancy May 'Moreland' Simpson."
Deborah Overton, September 10, 2005SIMPSON, Lemuel Wright (Lem) - Alton, MO
Simpson, Lemuel Wright
7 Oct 1881 - 14 Mar 1953
Son of Wright & Samantha Cates Simpson
m. Meekie Hooper - 18 Jan 1903
~Bailey Chapel (Woodside Twp) Cemetery~
LEM SIMPSON DIES - Lemuel Wright Simpson, son of Wright and Samantha (Cates) Simpson, was born Oct. 7, 1881, in the Bailey Chapel community and departed this life at his farm home March 14, 1953 at 7:10 a.m. being at this time 71 years, 5 months and 7 days of age.He was married to Meekie Hooper Jan. 18, 1903, and to this union 12 children were born; 2 children, a daughter, Eva, and a son, Tommie, preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, Meekie Simpson, and 10 children: Mrs. Mae Huddleston, St. Louis; Cecil W. Simpson, La Junta, Colo; Mrs. Verna Crews, St. Louis; Mrs. Marylee Sisco, Alton; Mrs. Helen Fitzgerald, Overland, Mo; Ralph Simpson, St. Louis; Mrs. Louise Barton, St. Louis; Loyd E. Simpson, St. Louis; Mrs. Lorene Dodson, Alton; Mrs. Dorothy Boze, Eureka, Mo. Two sisters, Mrs. Betty Turner and Mrs. Virgie Butler, Alton; 2 half-brothers: Sol and Lewis, of Alton; 2 half-sisters, Mrs. Ruth Florea, Alton; Mrs. Austin Hopper, West Plains, Mo; 22 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
His father and mother, 5 sisters, and 3 brothers preceeded him in death. They were, Rosa Simpson, Mrs. Nancy Bailey, Mrs. R.D. Ollar, Mrs. Esther Burkhead, Mrs. Sally Brawley, S.M. (Bud) Simpson, Tom Simpson; and 1 half brother, William Isaac Simpson.
As a boy he grew to manhood in the Bailey Chapel community where he married and engaged in farming. In 1903, the family moved to Alton, Mo., where he became a US mail carrier (for several years) between Alton and Thayer. Later he operated a Livery Barn and Blacksmith shop in Alton. In 1915, the family moved to La Junta, Colo., where Lem, as he was known to his many friends, obtained a position as A.T. and S.F. Store Department Crane operator. He continued in this work for 15 years. In 1930, the family moved back to Oregon County, and it was at his farm home, 2 miles north of Bailey Chapel, that he suffered a stroke about noon Thurs., Mar. 12, as he sat reading his Bible. As his condition was critical the children were summoned and all were at his bedside when the end came. All was done for him that medical science and loving hands could do. He made his confession to Christ, in early manhood, and affiliated himself with the Free Will Baptist church at Bailey Chapel when it was organized in 1938, remaining a faithful member until God called him home.
The world is brighter for his having been a part of it for so many years, and we who knew him look forward to meeting him again in that place where all tears shall be wiped away and there will be no heartache, pain, or death. Rev. Elmer Hodges, a life long friend of the deceased, conducted the funeral services (by previous request of the deceased) assisted by Rev. C.A. Dodson at Bailey Church. He was laid to rest in the Bailey Cemetery, Mon., March 16, 1953 at 2:00 p.m. in the presence of a large crowd of relatives and friends. Burial was made under the direction of the Carter Funeral home of Thayer. Pallbearers were nephews of the deceased. Robert Key, James Wiggs, Oglesby Simpson, Warren Simpson, Daniel Max Simpson, Charley Nicholas.
[SMD Thur. 19 Mar 1953, p1]
©2005 Denise Woodside - Storyteller and Webmaster - My Simpson Family
