NANCY LAVELLE SIMPSON UMPHERS

Nancy Lavelle Simpson Umphers was born to Charles Bailey Simpson and Olivia Burnley Simpson on November 26 in Sallis, MS many years ago. She ran into the arms of Jesus on June 25, 2016. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband RC Umphers, her son Ron Umphers and her brother Charles Simpson.
She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Jan and Shane Tucker, her daughter in law Sasha Umphers, her brother and sister in law, John and Frances Simpson, her sister and brother in law, Shirley and Neal Burroff, her sister in law Kay Simpson, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She was blessed with many life long friends who will miss her terribly. She loved and was loved by her family immensely.
Nancy spent her whole life living in Holmes and Attala county, but recently spent her time between her daughter Jan in Brandon, her brother John in Marietta, GA and her sister Shirley in League City, TX.
Nancy graduated from Durant High School and attended the Baptist Nursing School in Jackson on a basketball scholarship. She received her BSN and worked at the hospital in Belzoni before coming to the hospital in Durant. When a Mid-Wifery program was started in Jackson, she was accepted and became one of the first mid-wives in MS. She delivered hundreds of babies in Holmes, Attala and Humphreys county. In 1976 she traded babies for elderly and worked for a stay home health agency. She retired from nursing in 1987.
Nancy owned and operated 2 restaurants – Nancy’s Other Place and the Ritz in Durant. The Ritz was everyone’s favorite coffee spot and hangout and when she closed it a much loved landmark was gone.
Nancy loved to travel. She and RC traveled the country on his motorcycle but their favorite mode of travel was cruising. She was an animal lover. Most everyone remembers her precious Trouble Bird and her fierce boxer protector Daisy.
Nancy was a life long member of the Durant Church of Christ. Her avid love and knowledge of scripture was undoubtably instilled in her by her mother. She loved the Lord with all her soul, heart and mind. As Paul told Timothy, Nancy would also say “…the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness….”