Lou Ann Simpson

Lou Anne "Ann" Simpson died peacefully in her home in Hot Springs Village in Arkansas on January 14th at the age of 79.

Ann is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Philip Carl Simpson of the home; sons Lewis Mark Bonner and his wife Annette of Edmond, Oklahoma, Grady Gregg Bonner and his wife Sandra of Bethany and bonus son Alan Lee Simpson and his wife Renae of Oklahoma City; sister and brother in law Clara and Chuck Jackson of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren Allison and Tim Thomas and Jacob Bonner, all of Edmond; niece Michelle Miller and husband Thurman of Portland, Oregon; aunt Ethel Black of Woodward, Oklahoma as well as many other friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents Louie C. Haack and Elsie M. Swallow and her brother Jimmie Wayne Haack of Slapout, Oklahoma.

Ann was born on the family farm in the panhandle of Oklahoma near Slapout on May 7, 1940 to Louis and Elsie. She attended Fairview, Rock, and Overstreet schools before attending Laverne Public School, where she graduate from high school in 1957. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Education from Northwestern State College, Alva, Oklahoma in 1961 and a Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma in 1973. She married Don Bonner in 1960. After marrying, Ann worked for a while as a substitute teacher until they welcomed their first child, Mark. Three years later they welcomed their second son, Gregg. In 1977, Ann and Don divorced. Afterwards, Ann began attending events sponsored by Parents Without Partners where she met Phil at one of the dance events. She and Phil were married in May of 1979 in Oklahoma City and remained married until the time of her death.

Ann and Phil made their home for many years in Oklahoma City. The F5 Moore tornado set their lives on a different path though. The tornado destoryed their home and gave them the opportunity to move to Hot Springs Village where they both retired to live their golden years.

Ann spent 20 years employed by the Oklahoma Metropolitan Library System. Most of those years were spent at the Del City Library where she retired in 2002. She enjoyed libraries and library sciences and often had funny stories to tell about things patrons asked her to research. She knew a great many things about a great many subjects because of patron research requests.

Ann was an accomplished poet who had her poems published in many newspapers and magazines. She was a lively, free-spirited individual who loved traveling and reading about a vast array of subjects. She was passionate about educating friends on the evils of the industrial military complex and governmental oligarchies while still remaining optimistic about the future of humankind. She always wanted to live in a big city like London or Paris but Oklahoma City was was the "big" city she fell in love with instead. Ann was known as a free thinker. She was always an advocate for individuality in people and personalities. She will be greatly missed.

Although she lived in Hot Springs Village for a many years, it was always Ann's wish to return to the red soil of Oklahoma. To that end, a funeral is scheduled for January 20, 2020, visitation from 1:00PM untill 2:00PM at Resthaven Funeral Home and Graveside at 2:00PM Cemetery in Oklahoma City. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ann's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Arrangments entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

Up Life's Ladder
- a poem by Ann Simpson

It is a climb demanding persistence
And actually needing some assistance
In securing steady steps to make each rung
Especially when one is very young.

Then, Fathers, Mothers and Family
As well as other Mentors guide the way.
While at school, friends give helpful advice
For charting new steps for further height.

Once adult most everyone is on their own
If far from relatives and far from home;
Especially, if fast friends no longer exist
And possible new friends fail to enlist.

If braving the task along one still can climb to the top
And enjoy the spreading view without fear of a drop.
Once done, though, it is time to pay the debt
Given to all of us who are born as of yet.

By dying since Mother Nature bequeaths this will
By writ of a rigidly and doggedly designed drill
Of ending life for all her creatures here on Earth;
Thus, She gives notice to be aware of the climb's worth.