Shirley Ann Simpson (Lansing)

Shirley Ann Simpson passed away Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Sparrow Health System, Lansing Campus in Lansing, Michigan. Age 68 years. She was born October 18, 1952 in Montgomery, Alabama to parents, Gertrude Covington and Asberry Gaston.

Shirley was raised in Montgomery, Alabama where she attended Daisy Lawrence Beep Elementary, Hayneville Middle School and George Washington Carver Senior High School. She moved to Lansing, Michigan in her 20’s and resided with her mother. Shirley eventually moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for 5 years. She returned to Lansing, Michigan. Shirley became a member of Apostolic Tower of Power Temple after being baptized there. This is the church she raised her children and grandchildren in. Shirley was a loving homemaker and wife to her husband, Ira; as well as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She loved to cook, travel, listen to good music and was the life of the party. Shirley was always willing to give a helping hand to those who was in need. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, family, and friends.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memory her children, James Williams, Jr., Dianna (Lorenzo) Logan, Christopher Williams, Sr., LaKisha Williams; Kayshawn Wray, KeShawn Wray, Kalep Wray; many grandchildren, special granddaughter, Antonett Couthen; Legregory Williams, Deonte Williams-Sims, Sr., Kevin Grayson, Jr., Christopher D. Williams, Jr., Christopher D, Williams, III, Janique Williams, Brieanna Williams, James Williams, III, Jameshia Williams, Mekial Williams, Camron Williams, Tyrese Williams, Lanesha Smith - Williams, Labria Williams, Jamiyah Williams, Jeremiah Williams, Jamilan Williams, Davon Summerville, Rachel Summerville, and Chauncey Martin; many great-grandchildren; sister, Cora Davis; brother, Timothy Payton; stepsister, Tina (Herman) Stone; many nieces and nephews; two special aunts, Elizabeth Pickett and Ida Hall; uncle, Johnny Hall, Sr.; many cousins including special cousins, Willie Neil Woods, Eva Mae Pickett and Lula Gaskin; many other relatives and friends including special friends, Stanley Tymes and Ollie Grayson; godsister, Millie (Huey) Peterson; and goddaughter, Tiera Hall.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Ira Simpson; grandchildren, Brandon Williams, and Jevonta Williams; mother, Gertrude Covington; father, Asberry Gaston; aunts, Dorothy Hall, Mattie Pearl McCants, Lillie Folder, Fannie Mae Gaston, and Anna Reed; uncles, Ray Hall, Jesse Gaston, and John Gaston; cousin, Mary Hollie.