Glady Simpson, 95, reached the end of a valiant 29-year battle with recurring meningioma brain tumors on June 28, 2020.

In home hospice care since April, she inspired many with her positive, cheerful outlook in happy anticipation of heaven. Born in 1925 in Beaufort, SC, she grew up primarily at Sumter, SC.

Her father was school superintendent in both towns. As a high school senior she moved to Greenville, SC, when her father became a professor at Furman University.

After her graduation from Furman in 1979, Gladys earned her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree at Emory University in 1982.

She taught at Tilson Elementary School, The Lovett School and at Dodgen Middle School. Due to effects of her second brain tumor surgery in 1992, she retired from teaching in the following year.

Prior to 1992, while teaching and mothering two young children, Gladys was an energetic volunteer for Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, Wesley Woods Retirement Center, Junior League and a battered womens’ hotline, played ALTA tennis, and taught preschool Sunday School.

In the years after becoming disabled, she grew flowers and her children, and faithfully participated in numerous activities at Peachtree Presbyterian Church — Presbyterian Women, Women’s Community Bible Study, Credence Sunday School Class, Minor Brain Injury Support Group, church library volunteers and teaching the Hope Class for mentally handicapped young adults.

Mrs. Simpson was predeceased by her father, Dr. Laurin Currie Simpson Jr. Survivors include her mother, Anne Barron Simpson, Columbia, SC; husband, Kenneth L. Simpson, Sr.; daughter Anne Shigley Noble (Steve), Meriden, NH; son Kenneth L. Simpson, Jr., Atlanta; two brothers, John B. McArthur (Barbara), Columbia, SC, and Rev. Laurin C. McArthur, Jr (Nancy), Roseland, NJ; brother-in-law Michael T. Simpson (Michelle), Silverdale, WA; four nephews, three nieces and many grandchildren an cousins.

The family expresses appreciation to members of the Credence Class, Presbyterian Women, home caregivers and hospice staff, and the many physicians who participated in her care since first diagnosis of a massive meningioma in 1988.

A celebration of life service will be held at Peachtree Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at 1:00 P.M.