Obituary of Katie Lee Simpson

Mrs. Katie T. Simpson completed her journey on May 8, 2012. She was a woman of strength, faith, and beauty. Her indomitable spirit touched everyone around her. The importance of her life was not in what she did, but in who she was. At times, her journey was arduous and difficult. She was defined by her love of life and her deep, absolute devotion to her family. She also believed that faith was not about the rules you follow, but the beliefs you live by every day of your life. Katie was one of God's most remarkable creations, and everyone who knew her became richer because of her presence in their lives. Katie retired to Bremen in 1981 after her careers with Western Electric in North Carolina, which at the time was under contract with NASA to develop the Lunar Landing Project; and with the public school system in Miami, FL where she taught Business English, Typing, and Office Survival Skills. She also played an integral part in the introduction of alternative schools, the Gifted Program, as well as school integration in the 1960's. She later wrote grant applications for various federal education initiatives, including programs for the handicapped and early drug education. Katie was always a social and service oriented person. Once she retired, she became a member of the Bremen Garden Club, The Pilot Club, Carrollton Presbyterian Church, and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Katie served as DAR Chapter Regent from 1988 - 1990. Under her guidance, the Chapter accomplished much and received national recognition for their campaign to develop McIntosh Reserve. In 2010, Katie moved to Gwinnett County to be near her daughter and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, soul mate, and friend of 56 years, Vick Simpson and her sister, Alma Smith. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Terry Keneipp, Buford; sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Timothy and Loretta Simpson, Woodstock, GA and Kenneth and Maryann Simpson, Broken Arrow, OK; 6 grandsons; 2 granddaughters; 5 great grandsons; 4 great granddaughters; 1 great great granddaughter. A celebration of Katie's life will be held Monday, May 14, 2012, at 7:30PM, at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford. The family will receive friends on Monday from 6:30- 7:30PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Abraham Baldwin DAR Scholarship Fund, 3435 W. River Commons, Douglasville, GA 30135. Katie's family would also like to thank Benjamin and Nina Stanescu, her caregivers for the past year and a half, and the multitude of friends who loved her and added so much joy to her life.