Edith Simpson

EDITH CORINNE JENKINS SIMPSON Edith Corinne Jenkins Simpson, 84, died Saturday morning, September 14th at her home in Tupelo, Mississippi. She was born October 10, 1928, in Lee County to William L. and Christine Haydock Jenkins. She married Joe F. Simpson, Jr., on January 18, 1953, in Tupelo, MS. She was a graduate of Verona High School where she was president and salutatorian of her senior class of 1946. She graduated from Wood Jr. College and earned her BA and MA degrees from the University of Mississippi. After working for Life and Casualty Insurance Company as a cashier for fourteen years, she began her tenure of seventeen years with the Tupelo Public Schools. She retired from teaching in 1985. After her husband retired, they traveled throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, and parts of Canada. They enjoyed working together in their yard, which has been recognized yearly during the Tupelo Azalea Tour. Edith was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Descendants of the War of 1812, where she served as State President. Other genealogical organizations include Colonial Dames, Dames of the Court of Honor, Descendants of Emperor Charlemagne, the Order of Washington's Army at Valley Forge, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Magna Charta Dames, and Americans of Royal Descent. She was on the National Committee of Scholarships in the Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters, and was a member of the Northeast MS Historical and Genealogical Society. Aside from researching ancestors, she loved history and desired to ensure its preservation. She was also an avid reader. Edith and her husband were long time members of the East Main Church of Christ where she taught elementary Bible school for several years. Surviving family includes one son, Joe F. Simpson, III, and his wife, Joan of Falkville, Alabama, and one daughter, Melinda Simpson Davenport and her husband, David, of Prosper, TX. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Leah, Deanna, and Hayden Davenport of Texas, Kay Cochran Moore of Hartselle, AL., and Johnny Cochran of Hopkinsville, KY and two great grandchildren, Connor Blain Moore and Carden Pace Moore of Hartselle, AL; her sister, Dorothy Godfrey of Verona; her aunt Ruby Waggoner of Waco, TX; her uncle, Grady Jenkins of Sylmar, CA; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at W. E. Pegues Funeral Home in Tupelo, Mississippi from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2013. Services will be in the same location on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 1:00 in the afternoon. A graveside will follow at Lee Memorial Park in Verona. Pallbearers will be John Thomas Haydock, Dr. Tommy Bryant, Jeff Smythe Young, Clyde Godfrey, Gene Godfrey, and Marion "Dick" Godfrey. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lee County Library, Genealogical Department, or Sanctuary House will be appreciated. The family would like to recognize the excellent care she received from Sanctuary Hospice House and her dedicated caregivers.