By Staff
Queen Esther Simpson, 62, of Dowagiac, was born into time on Nov. 17, 1946, in Chicago Ill., to the Christian lineage of the late Clayton and Laura Simpson.
The seed of Christianity was planted early in her life as she accepted Christ at a young age and worshiped with her family at Second Baptist Church in Dowagiac since 1951.
She received her formal education from the Dowagiac Union School District.
Queen Esther received her associate's degree in nursing from Southwestern Michigan College and earned her bachelor's degree from The College of St. Francis, Joliet, Ill.
She also attended Michigan State University as well as Western Michigan University.
Well known for her passion for cooking, no one ever left Queenie's house hungry.
She commanded excellence from all she encountered. Her signature line was, "The world doesn't owe you anything … We are the authors and creators of our own fate."
Queen Esther began her nursing career at Rudy's (Sundstrand), followed by Lee Memorial Hospital, Dowagiac.
However, she spent the majority of her career at Pawating (Lakeland) Hospital, Niles, where she was a faithful employee for more than 20 years.
She served as a staff nurse and later held charge nurse positions on B-Floor and ER.
She also served as an administrative director as well as liaison for the Michigan Tissue Bank.
She was appointed the Emergency Room director and finally served as manager of A-3 until her health failed in 1998.
Queen Esther was a proud member of several organizations including: The NAACP, Michigan Nurses Association, American Nurses Association and the American Association of Industrial Nurses.
She also served on the board of The Samaritan Center in Benton Harbor.
After retiring, she served as camp nurse at Camp Baber in Cassopolis.
She enjoyed singing in the choir at Second Baptist and was a member of the Nurses Guild.
She is survived by: her loving children, Lori (Danum) Hunt of Dowagiac, Patrice (Eric) Shelton of Dowagiac and Jai Paxton of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, D. J. Hunt of Dowagiac, Jamin Hunt of Dowagiac and Aiyana Paxton of Kalamazoo; one special sister/cousin Eunice Murray of Dowagiac; two devoted aunts, Lueida Mitchell of Arlington, Va., and Lola Shead of Chicago; Godsons, Lamont Douglas of Battle Creek and John Holloway of South Bend, Ind.; Goddaughters, Charee Holloway of Columbus, Ohio, Araolyn Mosby of South Bend, Brenisha Jones of Dowagiac and Tamia Rimpson of Kalamazoo; one Godbrother, Ricky Macon of Nacogdoches Texas; Godsisters, Brenda Macon of Dowagiac, Donna Adkins of Sherman Oaks, Calif., Donnetta Jordan of Dowagiac and Juanita Bacon of Dowagiac; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Queenie also leaves to mourn three special devoted and loyal sister/friends, Darlene K. Holloway of South Bend, Margaret Bass of Atlanta Ga., and Sam Dixon of Toledo, Ohio.
Queenie made her transition to her heavenly home on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, at University of Chicago Hospital, Chicago. Ill., after fighting a good fight.
She was preceded in death by her father Clayton Simpson Sr., her mother Laura Simpson and her brother Clayton Simpson Jr.
Her family will receive friends on Friday from 11a.m to noon at Second Baptist Church in Dowagiac where her service will begin at 12 led by the Rev. Tyrone Pace.
She will be laid to rest in Mission Hills Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the America Heart Association or to Second Baptist Church.
Her family is being served by McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home.
Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Queenie at www.mclauchlin-clark.com.