Vera Belle Simpson

I was born Vera Lewis on May 22, 1932 to Kyser Lewis and Lola Mae Bell Lewis in Butler County, Greenville Alabama. I was the 12th of 16 children born to my parents. We lived on a farm and we lived off the land. Our parents taught us to farm, harvest, tend to the animals, and most of all, take care of each other.

My brothers, (except my baby brother Leonard) Jake, Calvin, and Terry all served in the United States Armed Forces. As the baby sister, I helped my sisters when needed with their growing families. I was sent to Detroit to help my sister Catherine in her restaurant in 1950, and a short while after that, I went to Chicago, Illinois to help my sister Dorothy. I came to Albion, Michigan in 1951 to help my sister Elizabeth with her growing family. It was there that I met and married my husband, Robert L. Simpson in 1952. We united with Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where we served in ministries to include, Deacon, Associate minister, Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Coordinator/Teacher, Financial Secretary, Mission #1 and #2 members, and anything else God assigned us to do. Serving God with our whole hearts.

Robert and I made our home in Albion and were parents of 5 children; Gerald, Yvonne, Edith, LaDonna and Evelyn. After being discharged from the Army, Robert found work at Malleable Iron Company. He also established his business, Bob’s Electronics, in a shop built adjacent to our home. To help provide for our family, I took a job as a secretary working for Albion Public Schools. I worked there until my retirement in 1974.

In the years to follow, God gave me a vision of a community center that would not only serve the community but it would be a learning resource for youth and adults teaching them skills that would improve their lives. The Vision of Life Community Center was completed and operational in 2011. The Vision was a labor of love and as a recipient of the “George Award” in 2015 and the Delta Kappa Gamma in 2016, I give honor to God for using me as the vessel to get His work completed. The Vision of Life has since expanded and includes a community garden and a fruit orchard. God is awesome. To God be the glory.

I was called home to glory on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 2:10 p.m. I joined that great cloud of witnesses which includes my parents, all of my sisters and brothers, my husband Robert, my son Gerald, my daughter Evelyn, my daughter-in-law Pamela, my granddaughter Camille, grandson Andrae and other family members, extended family and church family members, a community of friends and other relatives who were waiting for me. My daughters, Yvonne, Edith, LaDonna, my godchild, Jewel (Michael) LaNaue and my bonus daughters Tonetta Bailey Weaver, Janis Hawkins (Earl) Clark, and Lady Diane Walker Williams survive me together with 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 6 generations of nieces and nephews, and a host of neighbors and friends that I held dear.

I lived a blessed life and I thank God for my life story.

A Family Hour will be held at Grace Temple Church of God in Christ, 711 Grace St, Albion, MI, on September 5, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Home Going Celebration at the same location on September 5, 2026, beginning at 11:00 am.

Please feel encouraged to share memories, photos, condolences and/or comments of love and support with Vera's family through this online guest book.