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Mary Diane “Sally” Simpson, 66, was born September 14, 1954, in Selma, AR, to the late K.D. and Gertrude Trotter. She departed her life to rest on Saturday, October 10, 2020, at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton, AR.
A graduate of Drew Central High School, she was employed by Burlington Industries. She later became an elementary school educator in the Drew Central School District until retirement. She loved her family, friends, and community. She served over 15 years as a member of the Drew County Fair Board.
She united in holy matrimony to her high school sweetheart, Sammy Simpson, Sr., whom she started courtship in the 8th grade. They remained happily married for 46 years until her departure from this life. To their union was born two lovely children, Sammy Simpson, Jr., and LaShaunda Simpson Barrow.
She accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age. She was an intercessor, spiritual leader, and encourager to everyone. She united with Trinity Full Gospel Ministries under the leadership of Overseer Lorenza and Co-Pastor Ola Simmons and later became a member of the Word Church under the leadership of Pastor Daryle and Co-Pastor Toccara Daniels where she was ordained as a Missionary and faithfully served until her health began to fail.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, John Sr. and Albert Trotter; three sisters, Azzie Coleman, Wanda Carruthers, and Bettye Simpson; and one goddaughter, Do’Nya Moore Ridgell.
She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, Sammy Simpson, Sr. of Monticello, AR; one son, Sammy (Tammara) Simpson, Jr. of Southaven, MS; one daughter, LaShaunda (James) Barrow of Monticello, AR; a special daughter, Michelle Moore of Alexandria, LA; five grandchildren, LaShaiyra (Tyrell) Nelson of Arlington, TX, Kobe Simpson of Little Rock, AR, LaCori Brent of Monticello, AR, and Kyler Simpson of Little Rock, AR, and Der’ Wayne Jefferies of Southaven, MS; two great grandchildren, Wynter and Tamyr Nelson, of Arlington, TX; four brothers, Karon (Yvette) Trotter, Jr. of Monticello, AR, Donnie (Lisa) Trotter of White Hall, AR, Gerald (Hilda) Canada of Bryant, AR and Kerwin (Cynthia) Coleman of Monticello, AR; four sisters, Vertie Pettiford of Garland, TX, Emma Carr of Monticello, AR, Ola (Lorenza) Simmons and Florine Moore, both of Monticello, AR; four godchildren, La Darian Pace, Andre, and Mario Collins and Brennan Thomas; and a host of relatives and friends.
A graduate of Drew Central High School, she was employed by Burlington Industries. She later became an elementary school educator in the Drew Central School District until retirement. She loved her family, friends, and community. She served over 15 years as a member of the Drew County Fair Board.
She united in holy matrimony to her high school sweetheart, Sammy Simpson, Sr., whom she started courtship in the 8th grade. They remained happily married for 46 years until her departure from this life. To their union was born two lovely children, Sammy Simpson, Jr., and LaShaunda Simpson Barrow.
She accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age. She was an intercessor, spiritual leader, and encourager to everyone. She united with Trinity Full Gospel Ministries under the leadership of Overseer Lorenza and Co-Pastor Ola Simmons and later became a member of the Word Church under the leadership of Pastor Daryle and Co-Pastor Toccara Daniels where she was ordained as a Missionary and faithfully served until her health began to fail.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, John Sr. and Albert Trotter; three sisters, Azzie Coleman, Wanda Carruthers, and Bettye Simpson; and one goddaughter, Do’Nya Moore Ridgell.
She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, Sammy Simpson, Sr. of Monticello, AR; one son, Sammy (Tammara) Simpson, Jr. of Southaven, MS; one daughter, LaShaunda (James) Barrow of Monticello, AR; a special daughter, Michelle Moore of Alexandria, LA; five grandchildren, LaShaiyra (Tyrell) Nelson of Arlington, TX, Kobe Simpson of Little Rock, AR, LaCori Brent of Monticello, AR, and Kyler Simpson of Little Rock, AR, and Der’ Wayne Jefferies of Southaven, MS; two great grandchildren, Wynter and Tamyr Nelson, of Arlington, TX; four brothers, Karon (Yvette) Trotter, Jr. of Monticello, AR, Donnie (Lisa) Trotter of White Hall, AR, Gerald (Hilda) Canada of Bryant, AR and Kerwin (Cynthia) Coleman of Monticello, AR; four sisters, Vertie Pettiford of Garland, TX, Emma Carr of Monticello, AR, Ola (Lorenza) Simmons and Florine Moore, both of Monticello, AR; four godchildren, La Darian Pace, Andre, and Mario Collins and Brennan Thomas; and a host of relatives and friends.