Ida Emily Simpson

Published 12:05 am Monday, March 23, 2015

Jan. 9, 1922 — March 3, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C .— Memorial services for Ida Emily Simpson, 93, of Washington, D.C., who died Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

Ms. Simpson was born Jan. 9, 1922, in Donaldsonville, La., the daughter of Cleveland Simpson and Aleta Broussard Simpson Fisher.

She highly regarded education. She graduated as valedictorian from Monterey High School and continued her education at Louisiana State Normal School, now Northwestern State University, in Natchitoches. She received a degree in health and physical education. Later, she established the Ida Emily Simpson First Generation Endowed Scholarship in Journalism at Northwestern State University.

She joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in 1944. She served as a switchboard operator in Normandy, Paris and Deville. After the end of the war, General Charles De Gaulle held a parade celebration, in Paris, to honor all the women who served there, which she was privileged to attend.

She related that she had never felt so proud of serving her country as at that moment. She chose to remain in the Army, serving as volunteer during the Berlin Airlift.

She served on the newspaper staff at Fort Dix, N.J., and Fort Monroe, Va. She earned many lauds and expressions of appreciation during her career including the European African Middle Eastern service ribbon with bronze star and the WWII Victory medal. After an exemplary and fulfilling career, she retired as a Sergeant. First Class, in 1964.

Upon her retirement from the Army, she resided in New Orleans for 20 years, where she became an avid golfer. She later moved to Florida to be near friends and family, where she continued her love of golf.

Finally in 2002, she moved to the Armed Forces Retirement Home, where she resided until her death. While there, she developed many wonderful friendships and a love of writing poetry. She enjoyed sharing her many poems with friends and family.

Ms. Simpson was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers, Cornelius Simpson, Woodrow Simpson, Noble Simpson, Lawrence Simpson, Henry Simpson, Louis Fisher and Malcolm Fisher; one sister, Viola Simpson Denny; and a dear friend, Florence Estelle Friedman.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Syretha “Tish” Simpson; and a number of nieces, nephews, many dear friends and loved ones.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, guardian angel, Russell Smith, and chaplain Goodloe, for their loving care of our dear, Aunt Ida.