Edwin E Simpson

Edwin Earl Simpson, 94, passed away at King’s Grant on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 from congestive heart failure diagnosed after suffering a fall with fractures. He was born on August 15, 1924 in Reidsville, NC to Ethel Smith Simpson and James Paul Simpson. He moved to Martinsville at a young age, and it was his home for the rest of his life. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by an older brother, James Paul, Jr., who died young and a younger brother, Jimmy Grey Simpson. Known to friends and associates as Earl, he is survived by his wife, Irene Lawson Simpson, and a daughter, Deborah Sue Simpson, both of Martinsville. Also by a son, Danny Earl Simpson, married to Kathleen Ann McKenzie who live in White Hall, MD and one grandchild, Paul Madison Simpson of Albuquerque, NM. He graduated from Martinsville High in 1943 and was immediately drafted into the Army reaching the rank of Colonel before his Honorable Discharge. He took classes at Purdue University before enrolling at VA Tech on the G I Bill. He lettered in baseball at VPI. He was an active member of Chatham Heights Baptist Church and later First Baptist Church. He worked a series of jobs leading to a long-held position as Personnel Supervisor at Continental Can Corp which merged into Stone Container. Throughout his life Earl was an outdoorsman and athlete. He hunted and fished often, and won Opening Day/Largest Trout in consecutive years. In addition to college, he played minor league baseball. Later in life he took up golf and played into his 80s. He was a regular on the Nautilus at the local YMCA. He also liked to bowl and could jitterbug good as any. In addition to the YMCA, he was a member of the Elk’s, Piedmont Arts, and American Legion. He was an honorable respected friend-seeking reverent husband and father. Unfortunately he wasn’t above punning. (Pardon me Roy, is that the cat that chewed your new shoes? Don’t even ask.) The funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Martinsville. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the following: First Baptist Church of Martinsville, 23 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112, Grace Network, P.O. Box 3902, Martinsville VA 24115, Mountain Valley Hospice, 730 E. Church Street-Suite 13, Martinsville, VA 24112, or a charity of the donor’s choice.