Marie Simpson

 Marie Simpson, 86, passed away on August 24, 2019, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She was born on January 9, 1933, in Buchanan, Tennessee, to J. Rufus and Hattie (Bucy) Whitworth. On April 2, 1951, she eloped with Phillip H. Simpson, and they were married in Corinth, Mississippi, along with her cousin Gordon Bucy and his bride Vida. Phillip preceded her in death on June 29, 2000.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by all of her siblings Charles, Brent, and Willis Whitworth, Marcie Smith, and Hazel Hudgins, and a niece Carolyn Ellison.

She was a mother of 4, a grandmother of 9, and a great-grandmother of 18, all of whom survive her. Her children are Phyllis and Jerry Renfroe of Lexington, Tennessee, Becky and Charles Frost of Bolivar, Tennessee, Mark and Paula Simpson of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Laura and Jeff Lawless of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Her grandchildren are Micah and Terri Jo Renfroe, Josh Renfroe, Phillip and Brandi Frost, Suzanne and Jamie Mosley, Carl and Kelly Frost, Robert and Lauren Simpson, Stephen and Megan Simpson, Jenny and Josh Gaylord, and Adam Lawless. Her great-grandchildren were her delight: Carliee, Gracie, and Audrey Renfroe; Samuel, Nolan, and Sarah Frost; John, William, and Joseph Mosley; Olivia and Max Frost; Bentley and Baylor Simpson; Ellie and Easton Simpson; Jackson, Jentry, and James Gaylord;  nieces and nephews Glenda Hibbitts, David Smith, Elaine Moore, Diane Harris, Randy Whitworth, Angela Conwell, Sheri Vanderpool, Beverly Hughes, and Bobby Simpson. She is also survived by her dear friends Leta and Bob Lindstrom.

In 1971, Marie and Phillip moved with their two youngest children to Poteau, Oklahoma, where she lived for 46 years in the same house. She faithfully served in many capacities as a member of First Baptist Church, but her heart was working in the nursery, teaching the 2-year olds in Sunday School for 30+ years. Her dear friends in the Alma Johnson Sunday School class shared in Christian service with her, loving and encouraging each other.

Marie was employed at the Poteau Community State Bank for 33 years, where she was twice honored as employee of the year. She was a teller, then later the teller supervisor, and was a favorite among many customers. In her later years, she also served in the bookkeeping department and answered the phone. She was Mother Marie to her co-workers, and in her darkest moments when she lost her beloved Phillip, they supported her. They honored her at age 77 with a retirement party, and again with a surprise goodbye luncheon before she moved to Broken Arrow in 2017.

Marie's funeral will be held Wednesday, August 28, 10:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church in Poteau, under the direction of Evans-Miller Funeral Home. Bro. Phil McGehee will officiate and will be assisted by her grandson Bro. Micah Renfroe. Pallbearers will be her grandsons Micah Renfroe, Josh Renfroe, Phillip Frost, Carl Frost, Robert Simpson, Stephen Simpson, and Adam Lawless, plus Roger Waymire who helped Marie take care of her house and yard for 17+ years after Phillip passed away.

There will be visitation with the family on Tuesday, August 27, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Evans-Miller Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the nursery fund of First Baptist Church, Poteau, or any church nursery where her children and grandchildren attend church. Marie was also passionate about supporting veterans in memory of her brothers, and Alzheimer's and cancer research in memory of her sisters.