By Sharon Mager, BCM/D Correspondent
COLUMBIA, Md.—Marvin Craft Simpson died on May 18, 2014. He served as pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Maryland, New York, Connecticut and North Carolina for 50 years before retiring in 2010. He was a member of Riverside Baptist Church in Graham, N.C.
The Rev. Simpson was born August 23,1928 in Bath County, Va., to Andrew Milton and Lula Margaret Feaster Simpson. The family moved to the Centerville, Pa., area when he was five. He worked for the Kraft Cheese Co. and later became sales manager for Queen City Dairy in Maryland, entering the Gospel ministry.
Simpson faithfully served several BCM/D churches through the years including: First English Baptist, Frostburg; Bethany Lane Baptist, Ellicott City; Grace Baptist Church, Cumberland; and First Baptist Church of Waldorf.
He married Ruth Ella Rice in 1946. She preceded him in death in 1991. In 1993 he married Mary G. Weathersby who survives.
Simpson and Ruth Ella had five children: The Rev. Robert (Lorraine) Simpson of Odenton, Md.; Edward Simpson of Princeton Junction, N.J.; The Rev. Timothy (Carol) Simpson of Gaithersburg, Md.; William Simpson of Sarasota, Fla.; Krista (Jim) Hunter of Garden Ridge, Texas. Also two stepdaughters, Debbie (Kenny) Royal of Bridgeton, N.C., and Sandra (Benny) Burton of Burlington, N.C.
He is also survived by siblings, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the Lowe Funeral Home Chapel, Burlington, N.C., on May 19, 2014 with the Rev. Bob Stephenson officiating. Another visitation and funeral services were held at Greenridge Baptist Church, 21925 Frederick Rd. (RT 355), Md. with Rev. Tim Simpson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215 or a charity of your choice. More information can be found at: http://www.lowefuneralhome.com/obituary/Rev.-Marvin-Craft-Simpson/Graham-NC/1383421#sthash.a5VxkB48.dpuf