Earleen Knox Simpson
12/3/1927 - 6/2/2024
Earleen Knox Simpson, age 96 of Kerrville, passed away June 2, 2024 in her home in Kerrville Texas surrounded by her loved ones. Mrs. Simpson was born December 3, 1927 in Hext, Texas. Her birth was a home delivery by her Mother, Betty (Wilkerson) Knox and Father, William (Bill) Knox. Eagerly accepted by her older Sister, Miriam. Trying to get Miriam to say Earleen was too difficult for the young toddler, so she called Earleen, sister. And the nickname stuck… Sis, Sister and Sissy would be lovingly used by her younger brothers and sister. Then by multitude of nephews and nieces…
Met and fell in love with William Simpson and the two were joined in legal matrimony February 20, 1954. Six years later their son David William Simpson was born August 25, 1960. The family unit was complete. Earleen devoted herself to her family. Whether they enjoyed the 3 years in Germany or the years in Hawaii. And always being a second mom to her siblings and many nephews and nieces. Finally settling in Friendswood, Texas in 1973.
Earleen was a major talent in the retail business. Working for Palais Royal selling ladies wear. She was top sales consultant several months every year garnering bonuses for high sales.
She was the epitome of style in her personal dressing. But also took great pride in her landscaping designs, winning best home garden in their Friendswood neighborhood many times.
But the life she had helped create came to a tragic ending when their son, David, drowned in a swimming accident June 28, 1980.
This had devastating effect on Earleen and for a time she lost the spark of life. She began to pray to God for guidance and one day two members from Jehovah Witness knocked on her door. She studied for five years before being baptized.
The following years found Earleen and Bill surrounding themselves with family. They bought an RV and loved going on trips. Including to Las Vegas with her brothers and Sister-in-laws.
Earleen was a loving and caring caretaker for her older Sister and her Mother. Being with them until they passed away.
God would throw another curve ball in 1996 when Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer and Earleen was diagnosed with a virulent type of cancer, synovial sarcoma.
Much trial and tribulations but both miraculous recovered. But the sarcoma had a lasting physical impact on her life. The left thigh muscle was removed and Earleen's life changed. No more dancing, no more running. But this did not stop her from having a beautiful yard and impeccable house.
In 2005 both made the decision to relocate back to the hill country and moved to Kerrville Texas.
But, in 2014 Bill's prostate cancer return and Earleen devoted herself to her husband. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary, but the cancer took Bill's life June 16, 2015.
For the next nine years Earleen was independent and insisted on living by herself. Her home was kept impeccable and was always open to visitors. She loved music from the big band Era as well as standards from Nat King Cole, Ray Price, Patsy Cline and others. She loved to play her music for hours sometimes in to the wee hours of the early morning.
Cancer returned and after a brief illness she left to be with her two boys. The family is back together and complete.
She was preceded in death by Her husband and son, Bill and David Simpson, her Parents Bill and Betty Knox, her Sister and Brother In-law Miriam and Tommy Thompson, Her Brother Jim Knox, her youngest Sister Cheryl Schmidtke Connell and four nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her Brother Doug Knox and wife Beulah of Kerrville Texas, Brother Deryl Knox and wife Shirley of Missouri City, Texas, Sister-in-Law Georgia Knox of Kerrville Texas. Plus many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews and great grand nephews and nieces. Plus her nephew Barry Knox of Kerrville Texas.
Visitation will be held from 3-7 PM, Friday, June 14, 2024, at Grimes Funeral Chapels.
Services will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery in Mountain Home.
Pall bearers, Dennis Thompson, Clayton Schmidtke, Stephen Bacilieri, Wyatt Cline, Mike Mays and Kevin Mays.
Obituary Provided By:
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