Betty Laverne Simpson

Betty Laverne Palsa Simpson, 85, of Mount Ida passed away April 30, 2025, in Mount Ida, AR. She was born on August 26, 1939, in the small town of Brinkley, Arkansas, and was peacefully called home to our Father in Heaven, surrounded by her family in the idyllic fashion she cherished.  Those beside Jesus welcoming her home were Lee Simpson (husband), Bobby Palsa and Martha White (siblings) and Michael Simpson (grandson). Our dearest mother, grandmother, sister, and friend beamed a constant ray of joviality that will forever be missed.

She was the daughter of Joe and Margaret Palsa, amongst a bountiful family of siblings: Bobbie Palsa, Martha White, Helen Skipper, Linda Smith, Diane San Nicolas, Judy Litchford, and David Palsa. Betty was wed to her high school sweetheart, Lee Simpson, at the tender age of 18. They went on to be married for a wonderful 59 years and had two children, Randy Simpson (Donna Simpson) and Karen Simpson Elder (Chris Elder). Betty was a beloved wife to her husband and an illustrious mother to her children, but she held no greater joy than tending to her grandchildren on the family farm. She is the grandmother to Steven Simpson, Michael Simpson, Taylor Elder (Hayley Elder), Dustin Elder (Kellie Elder), and the great-grandmother to four lovable kids. We will always remember Betty for her many hobbies involving crafts and the outdoors, as well as her unbelievable touch when it came to the art of cooking. She will be on our minds always and in our hearts forever, thanks to her cheerful smile and sentimental ability to lend an ear in a time of need.

We rejoice in the fact that she gave her life to Christ as a child and made fervently sure her kids and grandkids were raised in church. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Mt. Ida, Arkansas, where she spent many Sundays. Betty was employed at the glove factory and later at Ed’s grocery store in Mount Ida for brief periods of her adult life. In her later years, she helped run the family business, Lee’s Sod Farm. After retirement, she traveled with her husband Lee across the United States on many grand vacations, and above all, she loved being with her sisters and traveling to visit. The back porch of her home on the family farm hosted many get-togethers, and the sight of such will forever be ingrained in our minds as a blissful reminder of our dear Betty Simpson.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 2nd, 2025, 5-7pm at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside service will be held Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, 11am at Stanley-Standridge Cemetery with Bro. Bill Ashburn officiating.

The family would like to say "thank you" to Elite Hospice, Elite Home Health Care, Mr. David (meals on wheels) and Bonnie Stiltner for their kindness and support. Arrangements were made and directed under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, Arkansas.