Betty Jean Simpson, 83, of Valdosta died Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at South Georgia Medical Center. She was born in Hahira on December 1, 1930 to the late George Ashley Rountree and Ethel Guess Rountree. Mrs. Simpson was a member of Westside Baptist Church where she served as GA leader, was a vacation bible school worker, a member of the WMU, a member of the Joyful Sunday School Class and the Keenager’s Senior Adults. She was a member of the Hahira High School Class of 1947 group, the Hahira Historical Society and the Hahira Methodist Senior Citizen’s group. Mrs. Simpson was a retired manager from the Lowndes High School lunchroom.
She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Robi Simpson Johnson and Gator Johnson of Sylvester, two sons, Alan Simpson and Rusty Simpson of Valdosta, six grandchildren, Michelle Ward (Derick) of Hahira, Jim Ray Simpson of Valdosta, Cassie Johnson Huitt (Shane) of Columbus, Crissy Simpson Barrett (Lan) of Augusta, Scott Simpson (Dwan) of Valdosta and Andrea Johnson Whiddon (Marty) of Albany, seven great grandchildren, Jacie Dukes and Meg Dukes of Columbus, Kate Barrett and Wright Barrett of Augusta, Jake Simpson of Valdosta, Connor Whiddon and Drew Whiddon of Albany, one brother and sister in law, Bill and Ina Rountree and one sister and brother in law, Brenda and Robert Coombs, all of Hahira, her special lifetime friend, Dorothy Jordan of Hahira, special aunt, Audra Elizabeth Guess of Valdosta, special caretaker, Eunice Hall, three nephews, Danny Rountree (Denise), Stacy Rountree (Vicki) and Ashley Coombs, all of Hahira. Mrs. Simpson is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, James Russell Simpson, Sr.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 31, 2014 at two p. m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with Pastor Ernie Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from six until eight p. m. Saturday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mclanecares.com.