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Submitted: 12/11/23 • Approved: 12/11/23 • Last Updated: 12/14/23 • R1511146-G1511146-S3
February 25, 1926 - November 3, 2016
Wife of James "Jim" Edward Simpkins
Rosa B. Simpkins, 90, of Fort Smith passed away Thursday Nov. 3, 2016.
She was born Feb. 25, 1926, in Fort Smith to the late Gorda and Rosabell Downs.
She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, James “Jim” Simpkins; her son, Dennis Simpkins; her son-in-law, Dr. Doug Parker; and two sisters, Daisy Griggs and Deannie Roeder.
Rosie was known by many names to many people. For a time in her ministry, she was the Baptist Student Union (BSU) director on the Westark Junior College campus (currently UAFS). Leading young men and women to the lord was something she always had a passion for. To her Spradling Baptist Church family, she was Ms.
Rosie who faithfully sang in the choir, brought food to all potlucks and taught Sunday school for over 60 years. Even at the very end of her life, she was still sharing the gospel with those around her. To all the dogs she has loved throughout her lifetime, she was their biggest supporter always saying, “they are just little people with fur issues.” Rosie had a unique sense of humor and was known by a lot of her friends as a great story teller. Rosie could tell a story like no other.
To her family, she was Rosa Bell, Mother, Mom, Momma, Grandma Rose, Grams, Nanny and GG.
To Jim, her sweet and loving husband of 73 years, she was Honey.
And to her greatest love, her lord and savior, she was a beloved daughter and faithful servant.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
She is survived by her daughter, Melissa Parker of Fort Smith; daughter-in-law, Vita Simpkins-Tyra and husband Austin of Fort Smith; one sister, Gorda Olsen of Apple Valley, Minn.; five grandchildren, Nicole Taylor and husband Scott, Danielle Scheurer and husband Tim, Ashley Parker, Kristina Simpkins-Spain and wife Christin and Brandon Parker and wife Jessica; and four greatgrandchildren, Wade Parker, Zoie Parker, Joshua Taylor and Aaron Taylor.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Scott Taylor, Brandon Parker, Wade Parker, Dan Hobbs, Kendall Price, Steve Lease and Grant Tyra.
Photo courtesy of Frances Allen Titsworth
Contributed on 12/11/23 by Billsully060
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Record #: 1511146