Jennie Lee Simpson

Jennie Neely Simpson of Fuquay-Varina, died May 16 at Transitions Life Care in Raleigh following a brief illness. Jennie was born April 2, 1929 in Statesville, NC to the late William Lloyd Neely and Pinckney Tomlin Neely. She and twin Jean were the youngest of 10 children. Greatly admired for her gifts in song and dance, Jennie also competed in beauty pageants in her younger years; she continued the love of music throughout her life and was never happier than on the dance floor with her beloved husband, J. Dillon Simpson, Jr, who preceded her in death. Their marriage of 55 years stands as a testament to strength and devotion. Her sons, Page, Jack with his wife Teresa, Bill with his wife Tammy, and Steve with his wife Sandie, will always cherish her passionate devotion to her grandchildren. Each, Joshua with his wife Mandy, Hannah with her husband Theo, Dillon, Hunter, Eryn, Caroline and Blake, will most lovingly remember her as their one and only Memaw. In addition to her twin sister, Jean Ann Neely, she was also preceded in death by sisters, Catherine N. Miller and Lillie Mae N. Merry along with brothers, Sam Herbert Neely, Albert Irvine Neely, Nathan T. Neely, Sr., Charles Lloyd Neely, Pinkney Maxwell Neely, and William Lloyd Neely, Jr. Funeral services will be held at Fuquay-Varina Presbyterian Church, 305 N. Ennis St, on May 20 at 11:00, and there will be a special memorial service in Statesville at Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel, 135 E. Front St, on May 21 at 2:00, both officiated by her son, Bill Simpson. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Neurological Unit at Wake Medical Center, the especially caring staff at Transitions Life Care, and a special thanks to her devoted cardiologist, Dr. Srivani Ambati. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com.