Elsie Mae Simpson

Elsie Mae Workman Simpson, 90 years old, passed away on October 17th, 2026 at The Gathering Together in Plainfield. Elsie was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on July 16, 1936. She was the youngest daughter of Jesse and Marie Workman. Elsie attended school in Terre Haute at the Laboratory School (better known as State High School) from kindergarten through her senior year.

When Elsie was seven years old, she had spinal meningitis which resulted in her loss of hearing. Being the strong individual she was, she learned to lip read, continued going to school, and graduated with her classmates in 1954. Elsie married the love of her life John Simpson on October 2, 1954, and they made their home in Plainfield, Indiana. Together they were devoted members of the Plainfield church of Christ. They had a wonderful Christian marriage for 64 years until John went home to be with his Lord. John and Elsie had four children, Debbie, David, Jim and Diana, who gave them thirteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. She dearly loved her family.

Elsie enjoyed many hobbies. She owned and operated the Fantasy Shoppe for several years where she made candy, beautiful wedding cakes, and cakes for all occasions. She loved working with her hands and did much sewing, crocheting and knitting. Elsie also worked for Duke Energy for 13 years until she retired.

Visitation will be on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 11:00am-1:00pm with the funeral following at 1:00pm at Hampton Gentry Funeral Home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Plainfield. Elsie is survived by her children Debbie (Jeff) Wooden of Rossville, Tennessee, David (Beth) Simpson of Collierville, Tennessee, Jim (Lynn) Simpson of Plainfield, Diana (Jim) Lautenschlager of Plainfield, and her sister, Virginia Rudisel, of Overland Park, Kansas. Her grandchildren include: Ross Wooden of Collierville, Tennessee, Ryan Wooden of Collierville, Tennessee; Nathan Simpson of Collierville, Tennessee, Joelle Harvey of Collierville, Tennessee, Joshua Simpson of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Jaclyn Miller of Memphis, Tennessee; Brendon Simpson of Plainfield, Kyle Simpson of Danville, Taryn Holt of Plainfield, Greg Simpson of Plainfield; Jenna Lautenschlager of Plainfield, Jamie Lautenschlager of Plainfield, and Jessica Lautenschlager of Plainfield. Elsie is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren with two more expected in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Gathering Together, a nonprofit organization that provides care for hospice patients.