**Updated Service information-
The family of Lillie Bell Simpson, who died peacefully on March 23, 2022, at age 98, will gather on June 11, 2022, for her private interment at Fairview Cemetery in Gaylord. Friends are invited to celebrate Lillie Bell’s life immediately following the interment at the Eagles Hall at 515 S Wisconsin Ave, Gaylord, MI 49735 starting at 12:30 p.m.
Lillie Bell Simpson, age 98, died peacefully on Wednesday evening, March 23, 2022, at her home at Aspen Ridge Assisted Living in Gaylord.
She was born on August 9, 1923, at home in Elmira Township, Michigan, to Raymond and Ellen (Olund) Moorehead. She was the fourth of their eight children. As a young girl, she attended the Shaff one-room schoolhouse in the Elmira area, and later Elmira School and Gaylord High school.
During WWII, Lillie Bell helped the war effort in Saginaw, by working in the gun and ammunition division, building armory for the military. After the war, she returned to Gaylord where she spent the remainder of her long life.
In 1947, she married the love of her life, Calvin “Red” Simpson, and together they raised seven children. They were busy parents attending school programs, sporting events, and fundraisers. As a dedicated homemaker, Lillie Bell was a great cook, especially for holiday meals. She also canned many jars of fruits, jams and jellies, and vegetables for the long winters.
Both Red and Lillie Bell were members of the First United Methodist Church and were very active with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Eagles Auxiliary, Gaylord Chapter #1825. She served in many Auxiliary leadership positions over the years and provided thousands of volunteer hours for activities and events at the Eagles Hall.
Red passed away in 1984, leaving a huge void in her life, yet she kept busy with her family and friends. With her incredible vivid memory until her death, she contributed valuable historical information for news articles and accurate recollections of early Gaylord years, through interviews with the Otsego County Historical Society.
Lillie Bell is survived by her seven children, Larry (Elaine) Simpson, Charles (Sheila) Simpson, Judy (Dennis) Fuson, Kathleen (Dwain) Skowronski, Carla Simpson, Gail (Michael) Dibble, and Alfred (Jackie) Simpson; 17 grandchildren and their spouses; 29 great-grandchildren; her brother, Carl Moorehead; sister, Nina Edwards; sister-in-law, Gloria Moorehead; many nieces and nephews; and numerous Eagle member friends who all remember her with fondness.
Lillie Bell was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Red; brothers, Lester and Raymond Jr; and sisters, Eleanor, Martha, and Shirley.
The family extends deep gratitude to the staff at Aspen Ridge Assisted Living and Hospice of Michigan, for their attentive and kind care of Lillie Bell.
At this time, the family has chosen to remember Lillie Bell privately. There will be a memorial gathering on June 11, 2022, at the Eagles Hall in Gaylord, following a 12:00 p.m. internment at Fairview Cemetery in Gaylord.
Please share your memories and personal messages at www.nelsonsfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
20 comments on “Lillie Bell Simpson”
What a lovely tribute to Lillie Bell, who lived such a long and active life. May she be remembered with fondness and love. Our condolences to her wonderful extended family. Rest In peace Lillie Bell. 💐❤️
She lead a harty full life and left the gifts of her children and many grand children to the world. We are blessed to have them, a part of her, in our lives.
To all of the Simpson family – Grief is a never-ending journey as you already know. Thankfully we have love to guide us on the journey, sometimes with laughter at a recollection or other times love flows down our cheeks. Rest gently in the hands of love and remember with kindness all the wonderful years with your mom/grandmother. Love and hugs —- MeLissa
So sorry to hear about Lilliebelle. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
To the Simpson family. So sorry for the loss of your mother. I got to know her very well when i was the head usher at the church. She liked to sit in the back pew on the left side. I always made sure the no else sat there. I had many great conversations with her at church. Just a great person and she will be missed. lots of love and prayers for the family.
So sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. I got to know your mother when I was the head usher at the Methodist church. She and I had many great conversations at that time. She always sat in the last pew on the left side. I always made sure that no one sat in that seat. She was a great person and will be missed. Lots of love and prayers for the family at this sad time.
So sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort.
Mrs. Simpson, was the neighbor lady when I was growing up and always had an extra couple of cookies or a peanut butter sandwich if you happened to be in her yard when you were having a hard day playing with her boys. She always had that band-aid for that cut or nick also. She looked out for everyone, not just her own kids. Rest in peace, Good Neighbor. Jim Jozwiak
To Larry and all the Simpson family, we extend our deepest sympathy to you and yours during this time. Lillibelle has always been such a cheerful lady. Each and every time we have crossed paths, she was always there to say a special hi. She will certainly be missed by so many. When my mom Ida Estell, was in the Eagles Auxiliary she always spoke well of Lillibelle, and she made the meetings most enjoyable for all the members.
Sincere Sympathies coming your way,
Bev and Dick Cherwinski
Hugs & prayers for the family. My sister, Marjorie Smith talked of your mother after her recent move there.
Sue
So sorry for your loss. Your mother was a wonderful person and a great friend.
Lillie Bell was one of the reasons I was glad I joined the Eagles Auxiliary. We worked together many times. May she rest in the peace of heaven.
So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was a longtime friend of my Mom, June Warren. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Larry and family, so very sorry to hear about your mother, she always had a smile for everyone. Prayers for your family. Betsy Gocha Higgins
She will be missed. Lillie Bell was my cousin she was a great lady, Delores Tubbergen. (Penny Olund )
Dear Simpson Family, So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing.
May all your wonderful memories give you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Jackie Wcisel
Larry, Chuck and family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Your parents were both treasures and I still remember them attending the sporting events at GHS when we were students.
My prayers and thoughts go out to you all.
Bill Borst
Larry sorry to see that your mother passed away. Sounds like she was a great mother, hang on to all the good memories. Peace be with your family.
I am sorry for your loss and I pray for the family. As the grief lessens, please take solace in her long and very full life and the love of the generations of family Lillie Bell leaves behind. I stumbled upon this by chance. My great uncle Maurice was married to her sister Eleanor. Maurice’s sister, the late Esther Moore Skelton, of Gaylord, was my grandmother, and Lillie Bell’s sister Martha was married to Wilber Carl, a cousin to my mother. I met most of the family as a young man in the ’60s and I know she will be missed. Bless you.
To the Simpson family so sorry for your loss she will be missed. Me, Bonnie McMurphy (Ostrander), and my brother James McMurphy are keeping your family in our thoughts and in our prayers❤️❤️🙏🙏🌹🌹