Father Mathew Allen Simpson 1918~~1968

SIMPSON, CHANCELLOR, SMITH, JUNKINS, WINSON, BROOKS, GREEN, MANLEY, TOMPKINS, HENDRED

Posted By: Mary (email)
Date: 12/4/2007 at 13:21:03

Courtesy of the Ottumwa Courier Feb 28th

FORMER OTTUMWAN
FATHER SIMPSON TAKEN BY DEATH

The Rev. Allen Mathew Simpson formerly of Lovilla and Ottumwa, died Sunday at Chicago following a short illness.He was Pastor of St. Peter of the Fields Catholic Church in Rootstown, Ohio.

Born Jan. 16, 1918 in Ottumwa' he was the son of William B. and Elsie Simpson. He attended school in Lovilla and in Bay St. Louis, Miss; and graduated from Trinity College in Sioux City. His theological Studies were taken at Immaculate Conception Theological Seminary in Conception Mo.

Father Simpson was ordained Feb. 2, 1943 at Youngstown, Ohio, and said his first Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Ottumwa on Feb. 8, 1948. He was the first Negro Priest of Iowa. His first assignment was an assistant Pastor and Adminintrator of St. Patrick Parish in Kent, Ohio; where he stayed until going to Rootstown Church.

Survivors include his mother Mrs. Elsie Simpson of 725, Grove Ottumwa; three sisters Virginia Simpson, and Mrs. Margery Manley of Ottumwa; and Mrs.Frances Tompkins of Akron, Ohio; five brothers; Donald of Ottumwa, John and Robert of Milwaulkee, Wisc., Charles of Ottumwa and Bill of Michigan; and several nieces and nephews. His father preceded him in death Feb. 29 of this year.

Services for the Rev. Allen Simpson will be Saturday at Sacred Heart Church in Ottumwa at 10:00 am.

The body will arrive from Ohio late Thursday and will be taken to Sacred Heart Church Friday at 4:00 pm. Friday where it will lie in State until Saturday morning. The Rosary will be recited at the church Friday at 8:00 pm.

Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree will serve as Honor Guard with Third Degree Members as Vigils Friday Evening and Friday Night.

A Memorial to Father Simpson has been established payable to The Heart Fund. Memorial envelopes will be at the Funeral Home Friday and at the chuurch Friday Evening.

Pallbearers will be Durwood Hendred, Joseph Smith, Paul Junkins, Cleo Winson, Lloyd Brooks, and Curtis Green. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.