Frances Simpson

Frances Simpson, 92, of Cleveland went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 18, 2024. She passed away peacefully at Signature Healthcare of Cleveland. 

She was born on November 1, 1931 to the late Roy Roosevelt Kelley and the late Audrey Mae Kelley. She was married to Raymond Allen Simpson on December 22, 1951 and they lived together in Cleveland for 72 years. Together they had one daughter. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

She worked at Duracell for over 20 years and made many friends before retiring. She loved to take care of children at First Baptist Church for many years since the 1970's. She spent many hours working on crafts at home for the children to enjoy working on while in her care at church. Many of the children she taught over the years still remember being in her class. She also loved listening to gospel music and spending time with family and friends. Her granddaughter, Laurel, was her pride and joy.

Frances loved the Lord and she was a member of the North Cleveland Baptist Church before moving her membership to Bellefonte Baptist Church in the 50's and was Bellefonte's pianist for many years. She enjoyed playing the piano. Later she moved her membership to First Baptist Church in the 70's when her husband became disabled after being a preacher/pastor for several years. This is when she began working with children at church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Audrey Kelley; brother, Howard Kelley; three sisters: Juanita Poteet (Glenn), Margie Wilson (Roy), Linda Kelley Blymiller (Bill); and son-in-law, Gary W. Martin.

Survivors include her husband, Raymond Allen Simpson; daughter, Deborah S. Martin; granddaughter, Laurel Anne Wilson (Kevin); great grandson, Joshua Wade Wilson; several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland with Reverend Tom Wickes officiating. The family will be receiving friends from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm on Friday, January 26, 2024 prior the service. A graveside service is to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Dan Wilson Jr., Dan Wilson Sr., Ken Brown, Tom Poteet, Alan Dixon, and Kevin Wilson serving as pallbearers.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Frances or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.