Simpkins, Dorothy Morris

Dorothy “Dot” Imogene Morris Simpkins, of Christiansburg went to her heavenly home on September 9, 2022, at Highland Ridge Rehab Center at the age of 93. Dot was born to Franklin and Sarah Morris in Carroll County, Va., on September 24, 1928, the 6th of their 11 children.

She met Osgood Simpkins when he would carry milk across the river near her childhood home. She ran away with him to get married at the young age of 15 on January 31, 1944. Dot and Osgood led a simple life on a small dairy farm in Snowville, Va. She also worked outside the home at several factories until she retired in 1994 from Poly-Scientific. They raised their 3 children, Osgood Joshua “Josh”, Katie Sue, and James Russell “Rusty” on the farm until they moved to Radford, Va. in 1981.

After Osgood passed away in 1983, Dot never remarried but enjoyed spending her time with her children and grandchildren. She could often be found in the kitchen, cooking family meals including her well-loved biscuits and delicious desserts or at the dining room table engrossed in card games. She was a long-time member of Gethsemane Baptist Church. She also enjoyed fishing, reading, word search puzzles and watching the Atlanta Braves.

Dot was fiercely independent and took care of herself as long as she could. When she was no longer able to be alone, she shared her time between the homes of Josh and Katie until she moved in fully with Katie and her husband Allen in 2018. They cared for Dot until she had to be placed in a permanent care facility in July 2022. She can be fondly remembered by her smiling face, stories from the old days, and competitive nature. Dot was loved deeply by her family, and she will be greatly missed.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her youngest son, Rusty, granddaughter Catherine, along with 5 sisters and 4 brothers.

She is survived by her brother, Marvin Morris and wife Peggy; her sisters-in-law, Margie, Ruby and Becky Morris; her son, Josh Simpkins and wife Judi and their children: Gerald, Walt and Nick Simpkins (and girlfriend Mary Elmore), Lew Yon (and wife Barbara) and Chris Yon (and wife April); her daughter, Katie Pelkey and husband Allen and their children: Greg Pelkey (and wife Jennifer) and Sara Rogers (and husband Shawn); great grandchildren, Kristin (and husband Roger), Carrie, Kaylee, Dylan, Harley, Nathan, Blaine, Ava, Kayson, and Brantley; and great-great grandchildren, Little Roger, Christopher and Seilah. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

The family wants to extend a special thank you to: Intrepid Healthcare Hospice for their love, support and care for Dot over the last year; Hope Roop for providing respite and friendship to us; Highland Ridge Rehab Center nurses and staff for their attentiveness and compassion; and Mullins Funeral Home for their care and services.

There will be a Celebration of Life visitation on what would have been Dot’s 94th birthday, September 24, 2022, from 10-11am at Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, Va. There will be a private burial at the Simpkins Family Cemetery at a later date.

John 16:22 – And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

The Simpkins family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com