Helen Simpson (Tulia)

Helen Rose Simpson of Tulia passed away December 11, 2009, at Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, in Grand Junction, Colorado, with her loving family by her side. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 21, 2009, at First Baptist Church of Tulia, with the Reverend James Hassell, pastor, and the Reverend Charles Davenport, former pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. Helen Rose McCasland was born in Silverton, Texas, on September 18, 1929, to Dr. Roy Franklin and Irene Zeeck McCasland. The family moved to Tulia when she was a toddler. Helen graduated from Tulia High School in 1947, and received a bachelor’s degree from University of North Texas. After college, Helen taught school in Tulia, where she met and married John N. Simpson, Jr., in 1955. She was a devoted wife who raised two daughters and taught English to many lucky Tulia students. Helen’s passions included cooking, singing, and sharing hugs and laughter with friends, family, and former students. She never met a stranger and never stopped smiling. Helen served on the board of the Swisher County Museum, volunteered at many community events, taught Sunday school, and was a lifelong member of the sanctuary choir at First Baptist Church. In 2005, Helen received the Pioneer Spirit Award from the Tulia Chamber of Commerce. Over her lifetime, Helen sang at countless weddings, funerals, and special performances, gracing the community with her lovely mezzo-soprano voice. Her three grandchildren were Helen’s pride and joy. Helen is survived by her husband, John Simpson, of Tulia and Grand Junction, Colorado; daughter Camille Redding and her husband, Ken, of Grand Junction, Colorado; daughter Suzanne McClure and her husband, Mike, of Vail, Colorado; sister Dorothy Brown and her husband, Robert, of Tulia; brother Dr. Roy A. McCasland of Tulia; nephew Steve R. Brown of Dripping Springs; aunt Lunelle Zeeck of Midland; many cousins; several nieces and nephews of the Simpson family; granddaughters Lillian Redding and Ava Redding of Grand Junction, Colorado; and grandson Scott McClure of Vail, Colorado. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and nephew, Paul Brown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association (Helen Rose Simpson Memorial Fund), Swisher County Museum, First Baptist Church of Tulia, Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090-B North 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81506 (www.hospicewco.com), or any other charitable organization of choice.