Addie Simpson

SIMPSON, Mrs. Addie Mae - Age 94, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2008 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Family hour 10:30AM Friday, January 2, 2009 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11AM, Rev. Woody Etherly officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Friday. Mrs. Simpson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10AM-8PM Thursday. Mrs. Addie Mae Simpson was born December 5, 1914 in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Ida Mae Johnson and Isaiah Blevins. She relocated to Flint with her mother at the age of three. Addie accepted Christ at an early age. She attended Flint Public Schools and graduated from Flint Central High School “Class of 1934.” Addie Mae worked as a secretary in a doctor’s office until she met and married the late Dea. Richard J. Simpson, Sr. After his death she returned to work as receptionist and a cook. She loved the Lord and worked diligently in the church serving in several capacities, Deaconess, Nurse Founder/Choir Leader & Musician of the Blue Bells, now known as the Voices of Metropolitan. Addie was over The Young Adult Choir, formed the Mission Choir, and The Gospel Echoes. Addie loved everyone she worked with and believed if you were in her choir, she could teach you to sing. If you had a leading solo in a song on Sunday, she sometimes would call you on the phone the night before or the afternoon of and would take you over your part just for reassurance. Addie was a sincere fisherman and often fished with 2 of the first ladies of the church. She fished up until her health began to fail her. Mrs. Addie Mae Simpson leaves to cherish her memory: 2 daughters, Dianne S. Keyes and Cherry L. (Walter) Brown; 3 sons, Richard Jr. (Ophelia), William David (Rosetta) & Henry (Pamela) Simpson; 12 grandchildren, Tonya, Richard III, Stephanie, Tomar Simpson, Rhonda (Woody) Greene, David T. Kennard, Sharif and Indi Simpson, Dorhea Keys, Shawnda Simmons, Charles Jr. (Kathy) & Cherry A. Brown; 29 great-grandchildren; 3 cousins; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Dorothy Patton, Mary Smylor, Johnnie Davis and Penny Roberts. Mrs. Simpson was preceded in death by her husband; mother; father; stepfather; grandparents; aunts; uncles; and cousins. The family would like to express special thanks to Kith Haven Nursing Home family, Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, Cross Baptist Church and New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church families.

Addie Simpson

December 5, 1914 - December 28, 2008