Ruthie Jeraldene Simpson

Ruthie Jeraldene Childress Simpson, known as “Jerry” to most and “Mamaw” to those closest to her, left this world to be with Jesus on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. 

Jerry was born November 2, 1931, in Appleby, Texas and attended Lamar Institute of Technology, to obtain her Bachelors in Elementary Education and Stephen F. Austin to obtain her Master’s in Education.   

Jerry met the love of her life, Hugh Simpson, in 1949.  They were married on January 26, 1950, and quickly relocated to Winnie and made it their home. Jerry’s dream was to be a teacher, and she accomplished that by being an elementary teacher for thirty-two years, of which, thirty years were spent at East Chambers Elementary.  

Jerry was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Winnie, Texas and the Women’s Civic Club. She served in various roles for each organization throughout the past 50 years. 

Jerry and her husband, Hugh, were awarded the Community Educator of the Year award in 1988 and Jerry was awarded the Women’s Civic Club Woman of the Year award in 1983. 

Jerry loved being with her family, playing cards with friends, baking, cooking, and attending various social gatherings while her health still allowed.  She delighted in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and referred to them as the “lights of her life”.  She never missed an opportunity to get together with her family – especially if a meal was involved.  

Jerry was a very giving and generous person and would always make sure her friends and family were taken care of. She donated to dozens of charities and was always willing to lend a helping hand or sign up for a shift to volunteer with the Civic Club.  

While we are all sad that her time on earth is over, we are thankful for the time we got with her and truly treasure her influence in our lives. Most importantly, we know that she is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that she is thrilled to be reunited with her husband after spending the last sixteen years apart.  Oh, how sweet it is to trust in Jesus and to know that we will see her again one day! 

Jerry is preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Simpson, of Winnie; her parents, Hugh and Mamie Childress, of Nacogdoches, Texas; brother, Gene Childress and wife Dorothy, of Lufkin, Texas; and brother, Billy Childress and wife Betty, of Lufkin, Texas. 

Jerry leaves behind her daughter, Sheri White and husband Steven, of Stowell; grandchildren, Matt and Kelly Jones, Kerry Metz, and Eric and Kacey Flores; great-grandchildren, Caroline Jones, Ralston Flores, Micah Metz, Jude Jones, and baby boy Jones; son, Craig Simpson and wife Bridget of Dallas; grandchildren, Mike and Susan Simpson, Aaron and Kimberly Brown, and Austen and Nicki Sims; great-grandchildren, Paige Brown, Keagan Brown, Kaleigh Brown, Keldon Brown, Brooklyn Sims, Sawyer Sims, and Camryn Sims; and brother, Jimmy Childress and wife Lorraine of Jasper, Georgia. 

A gathering of family and friends will be held Monday, July 9, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church at 120 West Pear, Winnie, Texas, followed by her funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Winnie, Texas. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, in Winnie; or Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607.