| Barbara Lee Wright Simpson |
BARBARA WRIGHT SIMPSON
Barbara Lee (Wright) Simpson died at her home in La Plata,
MD on Sunday October 18, 2020 of non Covid related natural
causes surrounded by her loving family.
Barbara was born on June 3, 1931 in Washington, DC to the
late William J. Wright and Amelia L. Wright.
She was also predeceased by brothers William J. Wright Jr
and Robert E. Wright.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years Senator James C. Simpson, sons James C. III
(Ross) Washington, DC, Gary M. (Molly) Port Tobacco, MD, and daughter Carol Mullen
(Mike) Fenwick Island, DE as well as seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Barbara was raised in the Petworth neighborhood in Washington, DC and attended
Roosevelt High School (1949).
In 1951 she married her high school sweetheart, Jim. After Jim's discharge from the US
Marine Corps, together they established Simpson Distributing Co. in 1954, distributing
Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer in Prince Georges County. After they acquired the rights to Carling
Black Label in Southern Maryland, the business was relocated to Waldorf in 1958
representing multiple brands in Charles, St. Mary's, Calvert and Prince George's Counties
for 32 years. Barbara was co-owner and active in the daily operation of the business for its
entire length of operation. The business was sold in 1986 and she and Jim retired,
spending their time between La Plata, MD and Ft Myers, FL. In 1970, Jim was elected
County Commissioner and then in 1974 to the Maryland State Senate. It was often said that
Barbara was her husband's most valuable asset on the campaigns and being related to
most everyone in western Charles County certainly helped.
Ever with a positive attitude, Barbara always put her family and friends before herself. A
loving and devoted Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother she was also exceptional
cook and an amazing athlete and golfer. Barbara was active in the Charles County
community as a member of many civic organizations as well as the board of Civista
Hospital now the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, MD.
In 2008 Barbara and Jim were asked to chair a committee for Civista Hospital charged
with raising $5 million dollars ultimately exceeding that goal.
The entire Simpson family would like to give thanks and appreciation to Diane Burroughs,
Jackie Fowler, Deanna Jones, Demetria Neal, Chrissy Newman, Meagan West and Mandy
Manypenny-Dudley of Care with Grace. Their care and attention went beyond the pale and
helped us greatly through this difficult time.
Funeral mass will be Tuesday October 27, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church 201 St.
Mary's Ave, La Plata, MD.
Interment private at Mt. Carmel Monastery. Services will also be streamed live at
www.facebook.com/sacredheartlaplata.
In accordance with current pandemic protocols face coverings are mandatory and social
spacing is to be observed with limited attendance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Carmel Monastery, 5678 Mount Carmel
Road, La Plata MD 20646, Marbury Baptist Church, 4670 Bicknell Road, Marbury, MD
20658 or Charles Regional Medical Center Foundation, PO Box 1701 La Plata, MD 20646
www.crmcfoundation.org
.
Barbara Lee (Wright) Simpson died at her home in La Plata,
MD on Sunday October 18, 2020 of non Covid related natural
causes surrounded by her loving family.
Barbara was born on June 3, 1931 in Washington, DC to the
late William J. Wright and Amelia L. Wright.
She was also predeceased by brothers William J. Wright Jr
and Robert E. Wright.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years Senator James C. Simpson, sons James C. III
(Ross) Washington, DC, Gary M. (Molly) Port Tobacco, MD, and daughter Carol Mullen
(Mike) Fenwick Island, DE as well as seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Barbara was raised in the Petworth neighborhood in Washington, DC and attended
Roosevelt High School (1949).
In 1951 she married her high school sweetheart, Jim. After Jim's discharge from the US
Marine Corps, together they established Simpson Distributing Co. in 1954, distributing
Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer in Prince Georges County. After they acquired the rights to Carling
Black Label in Southern Maryland, the business was relocated to Waldorf in 1958
representing multiple brands in Charles, St. Mary's, Calvert and Prince George's Counties
for 32 years. Barbara was co-owner and active in the daily operation of the business for its
entire length of operation. The business was sold in 1986 and she and Jim retired,
spending their time between La Plata, MD and Ft Myers, FL. In 1970, Jim was elected
County Commissioner and then in 1974 to the Maryland State Senate. It was often said that
Barbara was her husband's most valuable asset on the campaigns and being related to
most everyone in western Charles County certainly helped.
Ever with a positive attitude, Barbara always put her family and friends before herself. A
loving and devoted Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother she was also exceptional
cook and an amazing athlete and golfer. Barbara was active in the Charles County
community as a member of many civic organizations as well as the board of Civista
Hospital now the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, MD.
In 2008 Barbara and Jim were asked to chair a committee for Civista Hospital charged
with raising $5 million dollars ultimately exceeding that goal.
The entire Simpson family would like to give thanks and appreciation to Diane Burroughs,
Jackie Fowler, Deanna Jones, Demetria Neal, Chrissy Newman, Meagan West and Mandy
Manypenny-Dudley of Care with Grace. Their care and attention went beyond the pale and
helped us greatly through this difficult time.
Funeral mass will be Tuesday October 27, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church 201 St.
Mary's Ave, La Plata, MD.
Interment private at Mt. Carmel Monastery. Services will also be streamed live at
www.facebook.com/sacredheartlaplata.
In accordance with current pandemic protocols face coverings are mandatory and social
spacing is to be observed with limited attendance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Carmel Monastery, 5678 Mount Carmel
Road, La Plata MD 20646, Marbury Baptist Church, 4670 Bicknell Road, Marbury, MD
20658 or Charles Regional Medical Center Foundation, PO Box 1701 La Plata, MD 20646
www.crmcfoundation.org
.
