On January 10, 2024, at UT Trauma Center, the resilient, witty, and compassionate Rebecca Sue Simpson (Stolberg), Becky, 73 of Knoxville, TN, went to be with Jesus for her 26th move. Becky would like to let you know that her work here is done. This 26th move comes with a reunion alongside family and friends she has not seen in a long time. She will be dancing, singing, collecting rocks, crocheting, and gardening to her heart’s content. Music, laughter and love are guaranteed. The seven layer Italian Cream cake is delicious and she’ll never gain an ounce or have to worry about her A1C again.

With Becky when she passed was the love of her life for 55 years, Robert Simpson, her daughters; Susan and Kim, her granddaughter; Becca, son-in-law, Jacob Short and dear friend, Jason Smith. None of her other grandchildren were allowed to be with her due to the nature of the situation. However, they were all present in their hearts.

Becky was born on February 21, 1950 to Edith May (Keithley) and Carl Stolberg. She had two brothers, Jim and Dave. Her childhood was filled with amazing cousins (those wild Keithley kids), love and laughter, westerns, archery, rock collecting, playing outside barefoot in chicken poop on a farm and spending time with family and friends. She graduated from Floyd Central High School with the desire to become a flight attendant. 

Despite her dream to fly away, God sent her into a different direction. A blind date in 1968 changed the course of her life. Robert fell in love with her long legs and red hair first, but quickly learned her heart was made of gold. In less than two weeks after they met, Robert gave her an engagement ring at the Georgetown Drive-In. Robert was in the Air Force, and went on to serve in Vietnam, while Becky awaited his return. When he returned from Vietnam in January, Becky was ready to marry the love of her life. After they married in April of 1970, they moved to Dauphin Island, Alabama where he finished out his time in the Air Force.   

They moved back to Georgetown, Indiana where they had two (crazy) daughters. These two girls required a buffet of compassion, dedication, caregiving and love. She never fell short of any of those requirements. Making and creating everything from cute afterschool snacks with fancy toothpicks to sewing halloween costumes. She spent hours at doctors offices, hospitals and clinics. Those girls pushed her to limits she had no idea she could outrun. She was a classy lady, despite having two ornery girls and an ornery husband. Keeping us in check was like trying to train chickens to line up. 

She always dressed her best. She loved bling and sparkling was one of her hobbies. The same woman who loved dressing fancy and sparkling, had a childlike delight when she would find an interesting rock. Her love of rocks was unmatched by anyone. Robert hauled her rock collection with them on all 25 moves. She also loved flowers; Lily of the Valley, everything in Grandpa Keithley’s garden, and violets.

Becky and Bobby’s life was an adventure. Not the kind of adventure that just any person could endure, only two strong and dedicated people could survive what they went through. They had a great deal of fun, but many trials. Their children had no idea how hard life was, because they made it look easy. Becky showed her daughters that trials were best met on your knees talking to Jesus. They moved 25 times in their 55 years together. They never stopped loving each other or their family and friends. She loved fiercely. Her heart was beautifully constructed of compassion, empathy, loyalty with a sprinkling of stubbornness and sass. If she got lost while driving (pre-GPS) she would never admit it, she would say we were on an adventure. We feel lost now without her, and she would definitely tell us, “you are not lost, you are on an adventure.” 

Becky was predeceased by her mom, Edith Keithley Stolberg, her dad, Carl Stolberg, many family members as well as her lifetime friend, Pauletta. Becky left behind the love of her life, Bobby (Robert), her children, Susan Brown and Kimberly Beatty (Steve), her grandchildren; Becca (Jacob), Christopher and Nicholas Beatty and her great-granddaughter, Amelia Short. She is also survived by her brothers, James Stolberg (Grace), David Stolberg (Mary) and their children. There are many more grieving her death, just as one would grieve the sun if it stopped shining. 

Her grandchildren, Becca, Christopher, Nicholas and great granddaughter, Amelia will never be the same without her presence in their life. They knew her as Mimi. If they loved something, Mimi loved it too. If it was sci-fi movies or Thomas the Train, she loved it with them and Mimi would watch the same thing over and over, her smile never fading. She had nicknames for them, knew their favorite snacks, food, drinks and always had them in her kitchen. They had an incredible bond with their Mimi.

Becky and her granddaughter, Becca were as thick as thieves. Becky and Becca were not only grandmother and granddaughter, but best friends. She was as much a mother to Becca as she was to Susan and Kim (20 years later and without the spanking, so unfair!) She was mother, Mimi and friend to Becca and will remain as those in her memory. Susan and Kim knew who the favorite “daughter” was, it was no contest. They were pretty impressed by Becca too, so it all worked out. Mimi always knew what Becca was up to, who her friends were and what she was into throughout her life. She was always proud of Becca and they had a special bond. A bond that death cannot break.

Our neighbors that are our family: Jessica Cook, Jeremy Smith and Jason Smith came to be with us in her last days here on earth. We are eternally grateful for their support and compassion. We thank their spouses, Jackie, Josh, and Heather, and their children for allowing them to travel from home to be with their forever neighbors. We will always be overwhelmed by their love. We could not have survived those days without their compassion. Simply saying thank you to all of them does not seem like enough. Thank you to all who texted, called, and reached out to us in any way during this time. Your messages have helped us more than you can imagine.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 20, at St. Bernard Catholic Community Gym from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. All are welcome, come when you can during that time frame, we want to celebrate the life she lived and keep the memory of her alive forever. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, St. Jude or any local homeless shelter.