Madalyn Simpson

Memorial service for Madalyn Ruth Simpson, 88, Lawrence, will be held Tuesday, March 15 at 4:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 10th & Vermont in Lawrence. Private inurnment at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Simpson died March 10, 2011 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community where she engaged in her life-long enjoyment of painting.  She is a member of the First United Methodist Church, Lawrence.  She was born on December 20, 1922 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Everett and Lucile (Kemp) Johnson.

She loved music, children and art.  Throughout her life she engaged in ministry.  For 22 years, she taught in the Kansas City, KS public elementary schools: Benjamin Banneker, Parker, and Fairfax.  Together with her husband, Walter, she served congregations where he was the pastor in South Dakota, Minnesota and Kansas for 44 years.  Their ministry locations in Kansas were: Kansas City, Perry, Bonner Springs and Seneca.  Madalyn believed in the workings of God through the United Methodist Women, and served as its district vice president.  She was active in civic life:  the Kansas City Council on Race Relations (1960’s) and the League of Women Voters.

She received a Bachelor of Arts & Religion from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, and a Master of Arts from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.  She married Walter E. Simpson on August 23, 1946.  Survivors include: her husband;  two daughters, Teresa Kay Craver, Perry, KS, and Joy Simpson, Topeka; one son, Stephen E. Simpson, Atlanta; one sister, Helen L. Halstead, Wichita; and four grandchildren:  Christine, Julia, Angela and Brielle.

The family will greet friends at Warren-McElwain on Monday, March 14 from 5-7 p.m.

The family suggests memorials to: First United Methodist Church in Lawrence, or Perry United Methodist Church – sent in care of the mortuary.