Ruth Betts Simpson

Ruth Betts Simpson, 93, resident of Bourbonnais, Illinois, formerly of Charleston, Missouri, died in her home Saturday, February 11, 2023. She was born September 30, 1929 in Charleston, Missouri to the late Elijah Betts and Louise Thomas Betts.

She graduated from Charleston Public Schools in 1947 in Charleston, Missouri.

Ruth grew up serving and loving the Lord under her father’s leadership, the late Elijah Betts. She had her own personal relationship with God.  Ruth became an Honorary Mother of Opportunity Church of God in Christ in 2020 and deepened her love for Christ under the leadership of her brother, Pastor Steve Betts.

In June of 1954, she married the love of her life, Hubert Simpson, in Charleston, Missouri.

She was a hardworking woman. She spent many years working at the Illinois Department of Human Services as a support service worker until she retired. After retirement, she relocated back to Charleston for a while.

In her free time, Ruth loved watching sports and game shows. Sing-alongs were another favorite for her. Her loved ones will miss her voice and favorite sayings, “Ho ho ho who wouldn’t go,” and “Don’t gain no more weight, but you look good.”  She was a loving woman who will be remembered and missed by many.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Simpson, three brothers, Felix Betts, Elijah Betts, and Charles Betts, five sisters, Dorcas Spence, Laura Lee Betts, Jennie Townsend, Jackie Betts, and Naomi Betts, her granddaughter, Tiffany Polk, and her great granddaughter, Amari Simpson.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories two sons, Wilbur Simpson of Kankakee, Illinois, and Grover (Amelia) Simpson of Ballwin, Missouri, two daughters, Phyllis (Eldon) Hackman of Ballwin, Missouri and Priscilla (Ray) Jackson of Bourbonnais, Illinois, two brothers, Gary (Carolyn) Betts of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Pastor Steve (Cheryl) Betts of Charleston, Missouri, five sisters, Deborah (Phillip) Turner of Charleston, Missouri, Labirdia Moore of St. Louis, Missouri, Betty Burns and Delores Salmon both of Florissant, Missouri, and Rochelle McVay of Memphis, Tennessee, 11 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Friends may call Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 noon at Opportunity Church of God in Christ in Charleston, Missouri with Pastor Steve Betts officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Charleston.  The Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.