Bessie Ruth Simpson

Bessie Ruth Simpson, daughter of the late Fred and Stella (Robinson) Melton, was born on Sept. 28, 1920. The eldest of 10 children and finished her life's journey on August 9, 2014, at the age 93 of years 10 months and 12 days.

On July 1, 1938, she married Charles Lewis Simpson Sr. in Dexter, Missouri.

They were married 60 years when God called home her soul mate and best friend.

Mrs. Simpson lived in Dexter and worked at the Elder's Shirt Factory until she and her family moved to Pontiac, Michigan, in 1980. She became a nurse and worked at Sister Kenny's Contagious Hospital until tuberculosis and polio was eradicated. She then worked at Pontiac General Hospital.

Later, she worked for the Oakland County Children's Center until she retired in 1972. She and her husband, Lewis, then moved back to Dexter and lived there until they moved to Cape Girardeau in 1995.

After moving to Cape Girardeau, Mrs. Simpson volunteered at Saint Francis Medical Center, logging over 3,000 volunteer hours. She was very active member in her church First Church of The Nazarene, both in Dexter and in Cape Girardeau. In later years, she attend Cape First with her daughter.

Surviving are two sons, Charles L. Simpson Jr. (Sue) of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Billy E. Simpson (Linda) of The Villages, Florida; two daughters, Joyce M. Oliver (Paul) of Las Vegas and Nancy K. Johnson (Dan) of Jackson; 20 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; a sister, Doris Hoopingarner of Dexter; and a brother, Frank Melton of Millington, Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles Lewis Simpson Sr., son Jackie D. Simpson, five brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m., with services to follow.

Interment will be at Dexter Cemetery with Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Memorials maybe made to the Volunteer Department at Saint Francis Medical Center or Southeast Missouri Hospice, Cape Girardeau.