Dorothy Simpson
August 2, 1925 ~ February 2, 2011
Dorothy Simpson was born August 2, 1925 in Lubbock, Texas. She was the sixth of eight children born to Ruby Pearl Bailey Bush and James Washington Bush of Lubbock. Dorothy died in Tulsa after a brief illness on February 2, 2011 and though her own final years were clouded with some infirmities, she remained engaged with all those around her to her lifes very end, brightening each ones day who crossed her path. Dorothy grew up in Lubbock where she met and married Rolan Simpson of Avinger, Texas at the end of WW II. They raised their children DAunn and John Simpson in Lubbock and in those years Dorothy studied painting and sculpting with Glenna Goodacre (sculptor of the Womens Viet Nam Memorial Statue) and several other noted artists and at workshops in Taos. After DAunn and John had begun their own families far from home, Rolan and Dorothy moved to an amazing octagonal house with a stunning view of the famous Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona where Dorothy continued to paint and sculpt. In 1991 they moved to a less remote house near Phoenix in Paradise Valley and finally in 1996 to Tulsa to be near their daughter DAunn. During all these years, Rolan and Dorothy continued to visit regularly all their dear relations in Lubbock and Avinger, where Rolan also still had business interests, as well as frequently visiting their children and grandchildren in Oklahoma and California. Dorothys houses in Sedona, Phoenix and Tulsa were always open to her children, her long-time Lubbock friends, siblings, grandchildren and their friends for visits long and short. Rolan, her beloved husband of more than 50 years, died in Tulsa in 2006. She is survived by her daughter DAunn Simpson of Oklahoma and grandchildren Amy Binion of Idaho and Cuyler Binion of California. Also surviving are her son John Simpson and his wife Lynn of California and grandchildren Kim Mauney of North Carolina, Lindi Marco of California, Kendall Rohlen of California, and JD Simpson of California. In addition, surviving are her 14 great-grandchildren, her sisters Loyce Clifton, Ruby White and Pat McCracken of Texas, and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy loved being with her family and was especially fond in her final decade of receiving visits in Tulsa from her grandchildren and children. Because of her open, West Texas love of people and her warm hospitality, she welcomed everyone into her life with her gracious manner. Dorothy truly loved people. Her interests besides her artistic endeavors throughout her life included league tennis, involvement in Methodist Church activities, entertaining, cooking, and gardening, flowers and travel with her husband and family. She had great flair and style in her dress and in her homes and gardens. She was a member of Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa and loved her church family there; she was active in PEO, and in the Lubbock years in St. Johns Methodist Church in Lubbock, and the Lubbock Womens Club. Rolan was fond of telling the story of his first, brief encounter with Dorothy, just a glimpse, which ended with, Ive got to meet that girl! Burial will be in the family plot near the old Simpson homeplace, beside Rolan, in the Avinger Cemetery. Dorothys family will attend a service celebrating her life on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 10:30 AM at the Reeder Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs, Texas. Should you wish to make a gift of flowers, the family requests instead donations be made to the Alzheimers Association, 6465 South Yale, Tulsa, OK 74136.
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