Simpkins, Jr., Walter James

Walter James (Jim) Simpkins, Jr., 55, Richfield, NC, formerly of Blacksburg, died on November 2, 2016 after a courageous battle with Lymphoma. Jim was born on February 8, 1961 to Walter J. Simpkins, Sr. and Betty C. Simpkins.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents James Monroe and Mary Simpkins, maternal grandparents John (Alex) and Virginia Stanger and aunts, Frances Davis and Nola Kloke. In addition to his parents, Jim is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of eight years, Freda Fraley Simpkins and his family of “fur babies” (Poodles), especially, Cupcake.

Also, he is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, David and Yangju Simpkins, aunts and uncles Curtis (Lyn) Simpkins, Mary Margaret (Charley) Wheeler, George (Katie) Stanger and Bill Davis as well as mother-in-law Betty Drye, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Peggy (Randy) Misenheimer, Jimmie (Shelia) Fraley, Gloria (Wayne) Austin, 1 niece, 2 nephews, 4 great-nieces,4 great-nephews, and numerous cousins.

Jim graduated from Blacksburg High School and received associate degrees from New River Community College and Virginia Tech. He was employed by Dennis Carpenter Industries in North Carolina.

A visitation will be held on Sunday from 3 to 5 pm at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Virginia. The funeral service will at Northside Presbyterian Church on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg, Virginia. Reverend Dr. Linda Dickerson and Preacher Wayne Austin will conduct the service.

Freda and the family wish to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude for the kindness and support from all of their friends and co-workers, especially the employees of Dennis Carpenter Industries, and Christy Woods Group Home. Also, a special thanks to the doctors and staff of the Tucker Hospice House, Kannapolis, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Freda F. Simpkins, c/o First Bank, P. O. Box 6, Richfield, NC 28137.