A. Simpson

A. Ray Simpson passed away at home on June 2nd, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. The family will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle on Saturday, June 4, 2011, from 6 pm until 8 pm. The funeral service will be at Porter United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 5, at 2 pm with Rev. Gene Moore and Rev. Robert Eller officiating. Burial will follow at Simpson Cemetery in Norwood with military honors by the Stanly County DAV. He was born May 17th, 1921 to the late William Lester Simpson and Hattie Jane Almond Simpson of Albemarle. He was the youngest of 4 children, and was preceded in death by his brother, Coy Abraham Simpson, and sister, Ruby Lester Simpson Swaringen, a granddaughter, Mary Melissa Simpson and a son, Michael Ray Simpson in 2008. In 1941, he married fellow Porter native Lois Margaret Poplin, daughter of Pearson and Hattie Jenkins Poplin, and celebrated 68 years of marriage until her death in 2009. He worked in textile mills in Albemarle and the shipyards of Wilmington, NC before serving in the United States Army (1944- 1946) during WWII, achieving rank of Corporal and was deployed overseas to combat in Normandy, France, Belgium and Germany. Upon his return home, he built and operated the first of several business ventures during his lifetime: Simpson Superette gas station and general store on Hwy 52 S. He also operated Simpson Upholstery, Simpson Furniture and then acquired an Esso oil distributing company in downtown Albemarle , naming it Simpson Oil. Before his retirement, he worked at Lowder Hardware Garden Center for many years, and finally retiring at the age of 62. Ray is survived by one son, Stephen Dwayne Simpson and wife Priscilla of Albemarle; 5 grandchildren, Jennifer Simpson Keelin of Myrtle Beach, SC, Rhoda Simpson Vreeland of Franklin,New Jersey, Thomas Simpson of Oakfield, Tennessee, Salem Taylor of Albemarle, and Heather Simpson Eller of Albemarle, 11 great grandchildren; and one sister, Ola Simpson Russell (97 years old) of Albemarle. Ray and Lois were lifetime members of Porter Methodist church, and were actively involved with church and the community as long as his health permitted. Ray enjoyed fishing, gardening, working in his shop, having fish fries and cookouts with family, and spending time with his 5 grandchildren and 11 great-grand-children. Ray recently celebrated his 90th birthday party with friends and family at Porter United Methodist Church. The family would like to thank Hospice of Stanly County for their very caring and professional assistance during this time of transition. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Stanly County, 960 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.