Obituary of Ethel Fitzhugh Simpson

Ethel Fitzhugh (Banks) Simpson (October 8, 1943 – February 12, 2022)

Ethel Fitzhugh (Banks) Simpson, was welcomed into her eternal home in Heaven on February 12, 2022.  Her final days were spent surrounded by her loving family and a multitude of amazing friends.

Ethel, was born in El Paso, Texas, to Ethel and Fitzhugh Lee Banks. Ethel attended Ysleta High School, in El Paso, and graduated in 1961.  Ethel married Warren Eugene Simpson that same year. They had four children: Mary Lou, Robyn, Warren and Brian.  As a young family, she lived in Yuma & Phoenix, AZ, Nebraska, South Dakota, Eugene & Sherwood, OR where she has lived since 1980.

Ethel was a woman with a love of life and deep faith in Christ Jesus. She was a beautiful example of faith and encouragement to many people with her out-going and friendly smile and welcoming attitude.  Ethel felt every stranger was just a friend she hadn’t met yet.

In 1990, Ethel decided to become a school bus driver. This was a career that she called “my ministry. I love those children on my bus!”  Ethel retired after 25 years of school bus driving for the Sherwood, Lake Oswego and Beaverton School Districts.

Ethel had a lifelong love of roller skating and enjoyed many years of skating at Oaks Park Roller Rink.  She loved dance-skating to the organ music, meeting people and making lifelong friends.  Ethel also loved going for walks around Sherwood where she made friends everywhere she traveled and enjoyed attending Sherwood High School football games with her son Warren.

Ethel was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sherwood for over twenty years, serving on several boards within the church.  She loved to teach Sunday school to children and adults, and often attended both services as a greeter because “my friends are there.”  Yearly, she sponsored a table for the church Christmas Tea and loved to help with vacation bible school.  She loved God, the Bible and was always a faithful follower of her Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. 

As a testimony to her friendly attitude and love for her friends and family, she recently had an amazing Celebration of Life party at St. Paul Lutheran in Sherwood.  Many friends and family were able to say goodbye and she was thrilled to hear memories and stories and celebrate a life well-lived.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents as well as her husband Warren.

She is survived by her children Mary Lou (Ed) Raney of Phoenix, AZ, Robyn J. (Anthony) Marty of Warrenton, OR, Dr. Warren L. (Joanna) Simpson of Salem, OR, and Brian N. (Jessica) Simpson of Trophy Club, TX, grandchildren: Tara, Chad, Kathryn, Jessika, Haley, Alexandra, Gabrielle, Marshall, Harper, Henry, and Charlie, seven great-grandchildren, her sister Mary, nieces and nephew.

Ethel’s funeral service will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022, at noon, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sherwood, Oregon. Viewing will be at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in honor of Ethel to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sherwood, Oregon in her loving memory.