Billie Simpson May 3, 1931 – October 19, 2020

Billie “Bam Baw” Skinner Simpson, 89, passed away at the age of 88. She was born to the late John B. and Lurah King Skinner and was raised in the Bethlehem community between Brinkley and Clarendon. She grew up on the farm and lived in a home that was her former schoolhouse, where she spent most of her life.

Billie was a gifted seamstress and loved making clothes. She worked at Van Heusen shirt factory for over 25 years. Eventually, she opened her own upholstery shop in her home in the early 1980s. More than this, she loved her Lord Jesus and His Church. As a member of Clarendon Missionary Baptist Church and former member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist, she was a children’s choir director for many years and taught Sunday school for teens and adult ladies. She was married to Leroy Simpson who was the love of her life. The two of them took kids to youth camps throughout the early years of their 54-year marriage. Billie was an amazing example of a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was a hard worker, an excellent cook, and loved hosting people in her home. Each and every Sunday, she would prepare a feast for anyone who would come for a visit.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert, Arnold, and Max Skinner. Survivors are her sister, Margaret Perkins; children, Diane Simpson Vance (Danny) and Kenny Simpson (Donna); grandchildren, Ken Simpson (Keri), Heather McCarty (Chris), Tyler Vance (Angie), Kevin Simpson (Katie), and Drew Vance (Susan); and great-grandchildren, Samuel McCarty, Jared Vance, Daniel McCarty, Seth Vance, Shelby Simpson, Connor Simpson, Ian Vance, Michael McCarty, Sidney Simpson, Tommy Vance, Nate Vance, Tyson Vance, Hailey Simpson, and Maci Kate Simpson; and many extended family members and friends.

Graveside services were held October 21 at Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon by Fowler Funeral Home of Brinkley.