Elizabeth Josephine Carter Simpson

A native of Cleveland, TN, Mrs. Simpson was the daughter of the late Leonard A. and Susan Humphreys Carter and was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Tom Sherman and brother, Allen Carter. She grew up in Athens, Tennessee and graduated from McMinn County High School and Tennessee Wesleyan College (then a junior college). She later received her BSED degree from the University of Georgia and began teaching second grade at Barrow School. Mrs. Simpson left in 1967 to have her third son and subsequently was asked by many friends to tutor their children. After a couple of years when that number grew so large, she decided to return to full-time teaching, joining the lower school faculty at Athens Academy.

Betty was passionate about teaching young people and was fond of her friendships with other teachers and parents, but in what was a huge blow, she had to give up teaching following her first major stroke and brain surgery in 1977.

Mrs. Simpson was a charter member of Beech Haven Baptist Church where, in its early days, she played the piano and organ and was in the first hand bell choir. She later joined her husband at First United Methodist Church and especially enjoyed her Circle 6 United Methodist Women activities there.

Reflecting her love for God’s creations, she was president of the Heritage Garden Club and a Life Member of the Georgia State Garden Club. Mrs. Simpson was a member of the Athens Junior Assembly and continued as a sustaining member when it became the Athens Junior League.

For many years, she enjoyed bridge and was a member of several groups. Mrs. Simpson also achieved a degree of fame from friends and neighbors for her fabulous banana pudding. But her overwhelming love, beyond her deep faith, was for her family. She was the greatest strength to her husband, helping him in business and many civic and charitable activities. She also was supportive of all the endeavors of her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren and their spouses and never missed an athletic, academic, or other activity. In recent years, Mrs. Simpson has cherished every delightful moment with her great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, William A. (Bill) Simpson; sons, John Edward Allen and wife, Page; Dr. David C. Allen and wife, Nancy, and William Alexander Simpson, Jr. (Alex) and fiancé, Heather Randazzo; grandchildren, Susan Elizabeth Yvonne Chesser and husband, Jeff, Mary Adair Allen of St. Simons, Laura Elizabeth Allen, David Hamilton Allen, Daegan Randazzo, Laurie Elizabeth Guess, and Benjamin Harrison Guess; great-grandchildren, Edwin Allen Roberts III, Payton Davis Roberts of St. Simons, Margaret Carter Mundy, and Stancil Elizabeth Chesser.

Funeral services will be held 11AM Monday, September 19th at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Chuck Hodges officiating and Reverend Grady Wigley and Reverend Jim Griffith assisting. A reception will follow in the church’s Hancock Hall. The family will have a private burial in Oconee Hill Cemetery later that afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church Garden Fund, 327 N. Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601, or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.