Willa Wathena (Payne) Simpson

May 11, 1938 ~ April 7, 2021

Willa Wathena (Payne) Simpson was born May 11, 1938, at Polk, MO, to Isaac Columbus Payne and Sarah Jewell (Ragsdale) Payne.  She passed away peacefully at Parkview Healthcare Facility Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at the age of 82.

Wathena was united in marriage to Bobby Gene Simpson, also of Polk, on July 30, 1965.  She was saved at a young age and was baptized on August 16, 1953, into Mount View Missionary Baptist Church in Polk and remained a faithful member until her death.

She attended Polk one room school through the 5^th grade, then Inglis one room school through the 8^th grade, then attending high school at Bolivar, graduating with the class of 1956.  She attended Southwest Baptist College for two years.  She enjoyed attending class reunions to visit with old friends.

Wathena worked at the Bolivar Garment Factory before she became a fulltime mother and chose to stay home to help on the farm and raise her family.  She loved her family, attending family reunions, traveling around the United States to sight see and visit other relations, gardening, and was a faithful standard bearer for her children and grandchildren.  Later in life she and Bobby enjoyed traveling on Senior trips to see Branson Shows.

She was preceded in death by her parents Isaac and Jewell, brother, and sister in-law Dennis and Reona Payne, sister and brother in-law Adlene and Charley McGinnis, and nephew Tony Payne.

She is survived by her husband Bobby, children: Becky Shockley and husband Gary, Cindy Carter and husband David, and Tim Simpson, all of Polk, MO.  She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Kyle Carter and wife Mahayla, Brandon Carter, Jason Carter, Marissa Carter, Garrett Shockley, and Boone Shockley; and niece Marquita and husband Ben Gravely, nephew Marlyn and wife Barbara Payne, nephew Charles and wife Debbi McGinnis, niece in-law Connie Payne; and many other family members and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 10, 2021, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.  Services will be held at Pitts Chapel Sunday, April 11, 2021, at 2:00 pm with Bro. Curtis Howard officiating, along with Bro. Jerry Crain.  Music will be provided by Mt. View, Sentinel, and Goodson Missionary Baptist Church Choirs with Dixie Foster at the piano.  Burial will follow at Payne Cemetery Polk, MO.  Online condolences may be made at: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.