Ruth Simpson

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and teacher, Ruth Simpson, formerly Ruth Hunt, died peacefully in her room at Ollie Steele Burden Manor on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006. She was 88 years old. Born in Baltimore, she spent her formative years in New Orleansand Bay St. Louis, Miss. She was a resident of Prairieville and a former resident of Baton Rougefor 57 years. She was a 1938 LSU graduate and the truest of Tiger fans. Having completed the necessary post graduate hours in dance, "Miss Ruth" taught dance in communities from Baker andWhiteCastle, down La. 1 to Thibodauxfor 25 years. She was the sole proprietor of Ward's Costume Fabrics, a dance apparel and costume business in Baton Rougeuntil 1971. She celebrated the cultural heritage of Mardi Gras in Louisianaas an active member of the Krewe of Romany and its sister association, Les Capitains, as a past ball captain. But her family was her life. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Monday, Oct. 9, from 9:30 a.m.until memorial Eucharist at 11:30 a.m., officiated by the Rev. Victor Sheldon. Entombment will be inResthaven Mausoleum,11817JeffersonHighway. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Leah Russell Simpson of Louisville, Ky., and Roy and Cathy Dyer Hunt of Prairieville; a daughter and son-in-law, Dee Davitt and W.P. "Fee" Hamilton of Baton Rouge; seven grandchildren, Hailey Simpson of Louisville, Amy Hunt Donahue and husband Michael of Prairieville, Bryant Hunt and wife Linda, Brandon Hunt and wife Monica, and Stacy Hunt Picou, all of Prairieville; Piper Davitt Vance and husband Stewart of Montgomery, Ala., and Tyler Davitt of Baton Rouge; stepgrandchild, Holly Hamilton and husband Ronald Brown; seven great-grandchildren, three stepgreat-grandchildren, and dear friends, Jerri Miller Cullinan, "adopted daughter" Juli Miller Hart, Jeannie Rivette and Cookie Durand. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, I.D. Simpson Jr.; and her parents, Sadie Ward Persick and Harry Ward. Pallbearers will be Tyler Davitt, Brandon and Bryant Hunt, Michael Donahue and Stewart Vance. Honorary pallbearers are Mr. Harry Ward Jr., Mr. Jim Robinson, Dr. Tom Cullinan, Mr. George Bayhi, Mr. Aaron Picou, and Master Brennan Picou. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society.