Evelyn Cora Simpson

Evelyn Cora Simpson, 88, formerly of Nevada, died Monday, June 13, 2005, in the Galena Nursing and Rehab Center, Galena, Kan., following a lengthy illness.

She was born May 13, 1917, in Liberal, Mo., to Thomas William Claypool and Flossie Fawn Wilcox Claypool. She married Leon Carpenter on Dec. 25, 1933, in Liberal, and he preceded her in death in 1970. She later married Clyde Simpson on June 1, 1971, in Miami, Okla., and he preceded her in death in 1996.

Evelyn was a graduate of Bronaugh High School, Bronaugh. She formerly attended the Moundville Methodist Church and Pine Street Baptist Church, Nevada. She worked at the Nevada State Hospital for 18 years until her retirement in 1973. She lived in Vernon County all her life until moving to the Baxter Springs area nearly four years ago. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 53 of Nevada.

Survivors include three daughters, Delma Herman and her husband, Leo, Marshfield, Mo., Cleo Avery and her husband, R.C., Blue Eye, Mo., Aletta Russell and her husband, James, Nevada; three sons, Gary Carpenter and his wife, Joyce, Moundville, Merle Carpenter and his wife, Bess, Stockton, and Jim Carpenter and his wife, Rhonda, Adair, Okla.; 26 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; 24 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, John Claypool, Bakersfield, Calif. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, William Leon Carpenter and Paul Carpenter; one daughter, Nellie Jane Calvin; one brother, George Claypool; and one sister, Clidine Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, June 16, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with John Nichols officiating. Interment will follow in Shiloh Cemetery, Barton County. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends Wednesday 7-8 p.m., at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute to the American Diabetes Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.