Frances Lorraine Simpson

Corinthians tells us that of all the greatest attributes of humanity - faith, hope and charity - the greatest is love for without love our lives are nothing more than an empty gong. Frances Lorraine Simpson's life was not an empty gong. Her life was a marching band, a rock band, a jazz ensemble and a full orchestra all rolled into one person. Frances loved everyone she met. From the day she was born on April 20, 1924, in Codman Square Massachusetts to Herbert E. and Marie Frances Stockman, she loved life, the people she met and knew along the way, her family, her country and her God. Upon graduation in 1944 from Jamaica Plain High School, Frances enlisted in the U.S. Navy where she served as a Yeoman until 194 7, obtaining the rate of Second Class Petty Officer. After her discharge she attended Mortuary Science School in San Francisco on the GI Bill until she met and married Harold Westley Simpson of Van Buren, Arkansas in 1948. While married to Mr. Simpson, she travelled with him while he served in the U.S. Navy. In 1949, she gave birth to Robert E. Simpson and in 1952, she followed up with Kenneth J. Simpson. In the early 1960's Frances arrived with her family in Ridgecrest, California and began her career with the U.S. Civil Service working at China Lake in the Weapons Division for thirty-four years where she received numerous awards for her service. Upon retirement, Frances became a member of Ridgecrest's Police and Community Together (PACT) where she devoted nearly twenty thousand volunteer hours to her community right up to her last days. For her PACT service, Frances received numerous commendations, citations and awards including citations from two U.S. Presidents. Frances loved Ridgecrest and expressed her love through her service with PACT which was a natural given her father was a career Boston City Police Officer. Her PACT service resulted in her promotion to Captain and her award of a gold shield and the retirement of her shield number (21). Frances loved the brave and dedicated officers and staff of the Ridgecrest PD. Frances was an adventurer, learning to fly, was a ownership partner of a radio station, and periodically setting off on various adventures across the country. One of her happiest adventures was her travel with the Honor Flight to Washington DC. While living in Hawaii, she studied and became an accomplished Hula Dancer performing in many events and television shows. Frances was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church and Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She was an avid Scrabble player taking on all comers in spirited games she usually won. Everywhere Frances went she made lifelong friends including the Ridgecrest Police Officers, her fellow PACT members, neighbors. Frances touched many lives as she passed through this world. Frances is survived by her sons Robert E. Simpson (Elaine) of Gales Ferry, Connecticut and Kenneth J. Simpson (Mike) of Seattle, Washington, her brothers Herbert Stockman and John Brickett and her very close friends who are family: Joe and Gail Dunn, Ray and Lori Benson, Lisa Coryea and Aaron miller and his family. While there are no local services scheduled for her, she will be interned in the Bakersfield National Cemetery on April 4, 2023 at 1230 PM. All people who would like to attend are invited. Please do not bring flowers or other grave adornments to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Ridgecrest PACT or the Ridgecrest Hospital Hospice Unit.