James H Simpson

The earthly sojourn of James Herbert Simpson began on February 01,1929 in Johnson City, Tennessee and came to a peaceful end on November 14, 2020 in Anderson, Indiana. He was the ninth of eleven children of James Monroe Simpson and Sudi McCracken Simpson. As a boy he spent many hours working in his family shoe repair business earning a journeyman certificate at age 14, improving his speech impediment on the high school debate team and devoting himself to scripture memorization and church activities. He sensed a call to ministry at a young age and preached his first sermon as a 16-year-old during a Church of God revival camp meeting in the hills of North Carolina. To prepare himself for service to the Lord and the church, he crossed the country to study at Portland, Oregon’s Warner Pacific College where he earned a degree in Biblical Studies.

While studying and working full time, he made space to court his sweetheart, Sibyl Mae Gibson. On May 28,1949 they were married in Portland.  Son David and daughter Elizabeth (Betty) were born in Oregon. Daughter Mary made her entrance in Anderson, Indiana while James was studying at the Anderson College School of Theology, where he completed a Master of Divinity degree. He pastored Church of God congregation in Shelbyville, Indiana until he and Sibyl were commissioned as missionaries to Egypt.

The family transitioned to Hartford, Connecticut for James to complete a year of Islamic and Arabic Studies at the Hartford Theological Seminary. The transatlantic move in 1961 to Alexandria, Egypt, and later to Cairo, was an adventure for the entire family. James dedicated himself to studying the Arabic language and he was gratified that he could communicate with the local people in their own tongue. James considered the years in Egypt as the highlight of his ministerial career.

Upon return to Anderson, Indiana, James worked for several years at Warner Press. He also pastored Church of God congregations in Central Indiana, and later in Kentucky. Park Place Church of God, Anderson was his longtime church home. He loved worship experiences there. James was committed to meeting Park Place neighbors to invite them to church and to introduce them to Jesus. He had a passion for evangelism and for demonstrating generosity and mercy to folks who found themselves in unfortunate circumstances. With a tender heart toward animals, James assisted his children and grandchildren in caring for horses and dogs. This led him to volunteering with 4-H and the Chief Anderson Lion’s Club.

James’ parents and all ten siblings passed on before him. James leaves behind his wife of 71 years, Sibyl; son David (wife Kathy Rankin), daughter Betty (husband Eugene “Butch” Corwin); daughter Mary Jane; grandchildren Ryan Simpson (wife Becki), Nathan Simpson, Daniel Corwin, Maeghan Corwin Persman (husband Andy Persman); and great-grandchildren Kaitlyn Persman, Colin Corwin, Anna Simpson, Eden Simpson and Tristan Simpson. His family is grateful for his legacy of faith and love.

A public memorial service will be scheduled later when Covid-19 has subsided. Memorial contributions can be made to Park Place Church of God Outreach, 501 College Drive, Anderson, Indiana 46012 (765-643-0216) or online at ppchog.org. select “Donate”