Barbara Uldene Simpson

Barbara Uldene Simpson née Robinson, aged 68, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, November 17, 2022 while living at home in University Place, Washington. Barbara was an earnest and faithful Christian, a regular attender and member of Faith Presbyterian Church, Tacoma. She sacrificially devoted herself to serving her Lord, family, and Christian brothers and sisters. Barbara died peacefully with family at home after living with ALS for 6 years.

Born in Bismarck, North Dakota on May 25, 1954 to Donald Wayne Robinson and Margaret Helen Robinson née Gibson, she was the second of four children. Barbara graduated valedictorian in 1972 from London Central High School in High Wycombe, United Kingdom while living with family in Farnham Commons, Buckinghamshire. She earned a degree in zoology from Iowa State University in 1976 and a doctor of dental surgery from the University of Washington in 1980. Barbara served as an Army dentist at Ft. Lewis, Washington and Taegu, South Korea until June 1984. 

The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Rayburn, pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church, introduced Barbara and Michael Simpson to each other and they were married on June 8, 1985. They had four children, David, Jonathan, Elizabeth, and Mary. Barbara loved being a full-time mother. In addition to being active in the ministry of the church, she loved knitting, sewing, playing the piano, cooking, gardening, and painting. When the children got older, Barbara returned to dentistry and worked as a hygienist at 6th Ave Dental in Tacoma for 11 years. During her last years, while enduring the ravages of ALS, she graciously kept her eyes on the Lord and was an inspiration to many.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Michael Gray Simpson, children David and his wife Katelyn Simpson of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jonathan Simpson, Elizabeth and her husband Logan Green, and Mary and her husband Scott Ligman all of Tacoma. She is survived by three siblings, Marion and her husband Duke Vermazen of Reno, Nevada, Elizabeth and her husband Steven Thompson of Memphis, Tennessee, and Charles and his wife Annie Robinson of Seneca, South Carolina as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The Simpson family plans a viewing on Monday December 5th, 6-8 pm at Haven of Rest Funeral Home in Gig Harbor. All are invited. The burial is planned for Tuesday December 6th at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. If you plan to attend please be there at noon sharp. The burial will be at 12:30 pm sharp. A Memorial Service is planned for 4 pm at Faith Presbyterian Church also on Tuesday December 6 th followed by a reception in DeSoto Hall. All are invited to the burial, memorial service, and reception. We are so thankful to our Lord and loving church family during this time. It was such a comfort to have your love and support throughout the years and it brings us peace knowing that Barbara is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

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