Mary L. Simpson, age 78, of Bauxite, got to hug Jesus for the first time on August 9, 2024.  She was born in a Reynolds Metals house located at the Pine Haven neighborhood of Bauxite, Ar.

Mary was a very strong-willed woman & leader.  She was a graduate of Benton High School and held a BS from UAMS in respiratory therapy.  Mary was a US Navy veteran, a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Fire Rescue Chief, Commissioned Deputy Sheriff, youth minister at Hurricane Lake Baptist Church, wife, mother, and mamaw.  She was involved with the Congo Chapter of the Eastern Star where she made many extended family members.  Mary was a serving member of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Sardis.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John T. Simpson, mom, Thelma Coleman Mersereau; dad, Peter Noah Mersereau; two brothers, Chuck and Butch Mersereau; two sisters, Devota Hampshire and Wilma VanWinkle; and a step-son, Jack Stice.

Mary is survived by her son, John Simpson and wife Alethea; three grandchildren, Justin Simpson (Amber), Bayleigh Morrow (Grayson), and Hayden Simpson (Elizabeth); and four great-grandchildren, Emily Simpson, Everleigh Simpson, Sutton Morrow, and Braxton Simpson.

Pallbearers will be John Simpson, Hayden Simpson, Grayson Morrow, Chris Robinson, Michael Blessing, and Andy Gray.  Honorary pallbearers will be Justin Simpson, Braxton Simpson, and Steven Lovell.

Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 16 at Ashby Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 17 at Pinecrest Memorial Park with Military & Eastern Star honors.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Sardis for their youth ministry.