Grace Virginia (Hammond) Simpson

Grace Virginia Hammond Simpson of Montgomery, Alabama, died on February 13, 2023. Jenny, as she was known to all who loved her, was born in Rocky Mount, NC. She graduated from Rocky Mount High School and, for all her time there, was actively engaged in the Girl Scouts.

At Bauder College in Atlanta, Jenny was voted Most Congenial in her class of 1967, and later went on to win the Hall of Fame award for her achievements in modeling. After graduation, she spent seven years as a successful fashion model for Atlanta’s leading department stores (Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Davidsons, Rich’s) on runway, print media and television. Jenny graced the fashions of such notable designers as Dior, Diane Von Furstenburg, Yves Saint Laurent and Halston.

Jenny married David Lanier Simpson on August 17, 1974, and together had two children, Will and Susan. Over their 48 year marriage, Jenny made her new career that of making each house a home for their family, as David’s profession took them to nine different houses in seven different cities. They made Montgomery their home three separate times, eager to return here as David’s work allowed.

From 1992 until 2020, Jenny found a new expression of beauty, in antique furnishing and collectables. She enjoyed filling her booths at Scott’s in Atlanta and Montgomery Interiors and Antiques with her specially chosen items.

Known for so much more than her elegance and beauty, Jenny was considered by all who knew her to be a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a most loyal friend who generously expressed and demonstrated her love, kindness and thoughtfulness.

Jenny loved her church, First United Methodist, and was an active member of the United Methodist Women, first as a part of Ladies Circle 9, then serving as Vice President of the UMW. She also enjoyed engaging with the community of Montgomery through membership in organizations including the Junior League, Thespian Club, Antiquarian Society, and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.

Jenny was preceded in death by her parents, William Thomas Hammond and Grace Virginia Reges Hammond, and sisters, Lynda Hammond Knouse and Judy Hammond Shell. She is survived by her husband, David and children, William Alden Simpson (Ann) and Mary Susan Grace Simpson, her granddaughters Grace Virginia Simpson, Lanier Elizabeth Simpson and Sydney Ann Simpson, her sister, Billie Hammond Rowe, as well as her beloved extended family and friends.

Honoring the memory of Jenny will occur on Sunday, February 19th at First United Methodist Church in Cloverdale Park. Visitation will be in the Fellowship Hall at 1:00 PM. The funeral service will be in the sanctuary at 2:00 PM.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First United Methodist Church Respite Ministry, 2416 West Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, Alabama 36106 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Simpson family.