Raymond "Red" Simpson

Raymond “Red” Simpson, age 88, of Sandy Mush, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Red was born Monday, May 24, 1937 in Rutherford County to the late Henry Simpson and Oral Weese Simpson. He served his country honorably in the U.S Navy and was a veteran of the Korean War. Red worked for PPG Industries for forty years before retirement. He was a longtime member of Grace Chapel of Forest City. Red enjoyed hunting, golfing, fishing, and watching NASCAR and westerns on TV. He also loved piddling in his workshop, raising chickens, listening to country music and gospel singing which included being an avid Merle Haggard fan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-three years, Jeanette Carver Simpson; brother, Jerry Simpson; sister, Judy Simpson; brothers-in-law, Herman Fisher, David White, Jerry Padgett, Bobby Carver and sister-in-law, Christine Carver Fisher.

Those left to honor his legacy include his son, Marty Simpson; daughter, Marylisa Simpson Stamper (Tim) all of Sandy Mush; sisters, Helen White of Henrietta, Darlene Padgett of Ellenboro, Ann Padgett (Mitch Owens) of Forest City; grandchildren, Justin Bristol, Ryan Simpson (Vanessa), Shanna Fisher (Darryll), Randi Hamrick, T.J. Stamper (Jamie), Justin Stamper (Brittany), Candace Myhand (Taylor), Hannah Stamper (Landen), Colton Green; great grandchildren, Addison, Mason, Joey, Zephyr, Cora June, Mackenzie, Meadow, Zeppelin, Zeke and London; sister-in-law, Margare Carver and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 11th at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Ricky Poteat and Reverend Sam Henderson officiating. Interment with military honors provided by the Rutherford County Honor Guard will follow at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are requested to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.