Jill Elizabeth Simpson (December 28, 1935 – February 3, 2018)

Jill, 82, passed away peacefully in Virginia on February 3, 2018.  Jill was born on December 28, 1935 in Birmingham, England to David and Winifred Morris.

She grew up in London amidst the air raids of World War II. Jill would often recount stories about how the Morris family persevered though the war and rebuilt afterwards while living at 32 Smithies Road in Abbey Wood.

Jill loved taking the train to central London – first with secretarial school then working and going out with friends. One evening, while at the U.S. Service Club, an American G.I. asked her to dance. She and Ken enjoyed one dance and a long chat – followed by a week of dates.  Jill corresponded with Ken as he completed his service in Germany then returned to CA for his PhD studies.

A year later, Jill and Ken were married in Abbey Wood on August 31, 1957.  In October, Jill said her goodbyes and took the U.S.S. America into N.Y. City harbor then flew to LA. They began their married lives in U.C. Davis where Pam and Val were born; next they moved to Aberystwyth Wales for two years then settled in Peace Dale, Rhode Island where Andrew was born. 

Jill spoke often about the memoires she was writing – recounting her English heritage, 51years with Ken in RI and overseas, and family adventures. Many chapters included her devotion to Christ, her family, church and neighbors near and far. The final chapter took a delightful twist. Several years after Ken’s death in Burke, she met an English childhood friend and widower. Jill and Ken Springate dated across the “Pond” then had a beautiful church ceremony in London on July 11, 2015.  During her last visit to England, Jill celebrated Christmas and her birthday with Ken and his family. She returned to Virginia and, surrounded by her family, passed away after a brave battle with cancer.

Jill leaves behind her beloved Ken along with his daughters Kay, Laura and their families living in Yorkshire; daughter Pamela Winchell and husband, Dee living in Medellin, Colombia; daughter Valerie Criman and husband, Tom of Fairfax, Virginia; son Andrew Simpson and wife, Sharon of Washington, D.C.; and 10 grandchildren, Stephen, Paul, Erik, Daniel, Chelsea, Jeffrey, Monika, Ian, Joel and Joshua; and sister Dorothy Clark of Exmouth Devon.

We rejoice that Jill loved the Lord Jesus Christ above all else. While we miss Jill greatly, we rejoice that she now dwells in “the house of the Lord forever.”