Irene Lawson Simpson, 94, passed away at King’s Grant on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. She was born on May 14, 1927 in Meadows of Dan, VA to Turner Madison Lawson and Lucinda Agnes Shelor Lawson. Her family included 12 children. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Earl Simpson, and all of her siblings. Survivors are a daughter, Deborah Sue Simpson of Martinsville and a son, Danny Earl Simpson of White Hall, MD. Danny is married to Kathleen McKenzie and they are the parents of Irene’s only grandchild, Paul Madison Simpson of Albuquerque, NM. She has had numerous nieces and nephews, 18, all but 3 survive. Irene graduated from Meadows of Dan High School and shortly after moved to Martinsville to study at Perry Business School. In Martinsville she met and married Earl in 1946. She was an active member of Chatham Heights Baptist Church into the 1960s before moving her membership to First Baptist. She worked in the area first at DuPont and later, after her children were established in school, at Lee Telephone. She remained with the telephone company past their acquisition into Centel until her retirement. She was a dedicated helper, for members of her extended family, to being a regular blood donor, church worker, and volunteer at Martinsville Hospital. Even into her 90s she could be found ringing for the Salvation Army outside Kroger’s. She and Earl loved beach trips, dancing, and bowling. She competed in bowling leagues since her DuPont days. Her daffodils are on the verge of covering all of Druid Hills. She knew how to make a point, especially one that needed making. Last summer she didn’t know Katie and I were in town. We were waiting for her in her room at King’s Grant when Mom was wheeled in. Debby said, “Surprise! Look who’s here? Don’t they look good?” Mom said, “Katie looks good.” Debby said, “What about Danny?” Mom said, “He might look good if he’d comb his hair.” For her 94th birthday she was serenaded with an original composition, “The Ballad of Irene Lawson”, which starts this way: IRENE…Irene Lawson. Born on May 14. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Martinsville and will be officiated by Reverends John Fulcher and Dennis Knight. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Roselawn Burial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Martinsville, 23 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112; Grace Network, P.O. Box 3902, Martinsville, VA 24115; Mountain Valley Hospice, 730 East Church Street, Suite 13, Martinsville, VA 24112; or a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are by McKee-Stone Funeral Home-Martinsville, VA. To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.
