Katherine Ballard Simpson's Obituary
Katherine Ballard Simpson, a 90-year native of Ft. Myers, Florida died July 15, 2025, at home surrounded by her children. Born July 31, 1934, to Elmo and Virginia Ballard (D-Daddy and Mema), Katherine lived her entire life never more than a few blocks from her beloved Caloosahatchee River. Raised up and down Coconut Drive, she enjoyed a perfect Southern upbringing with her siblings the late Walter Ballard (Jean dec.), the late Jeanne Hinson (Hank dec.), Ginger Webster (Richard “Bink”) of Naples, and her cousin, the late Hiriam Ballard. Their childhood summers, and the next generation’s too, were spent outside of Staunton, Virginia, at her mother's family homes in the Shenandoah Valley.
She graduated from Edison Park Elementary, Ft. Myers High School (1952), and Averett College in Danville, Virginia, with her lifelong friend, Anne Barrett Chamlee.
After graduation, Katherine returned to Fort Myers and fell in love with Richard G.
Simpson Jr. Married in 1956, they enjoyed 51 years of marriage, before his passing in 2007. Married life was filled with raising 4 children, delighting in their grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives, traveling the world with friends and so many special family trips with multiple generations – often repeating visits to their favorites Australia, Alaska, The Holy Lands, New Orleans and never tiring of visiting or sharing her favorite – London. In 1960, they opened and operated Construction Sales & Rental Equipment, enjoying trips to every major city in America for conventions. They hosted often and big, entertaining in their home on Braman Ave. From weddings to Christmas parties, baby showers, funerals, Edison parade float building, supper club dinners, birthdays, graduations, annual Easter egg hunts attended by the entire neighborhood; the door was open, and her kitchen filled with food and love. She was an active community volunteer, serving as a Guardian Ad Litem, helping the girls at THRIVE Lifeline, countless years as a Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school leader, and decades of school volunteering at Allen Park Elementary and St. Michael Lutheran Church and School. She was a devoted Christian her entire life, practicing her faith at First, Riverside, McGregor and Central Baptist churches, and finally at St. Michaels Lutheran. After selling the family home, they retired to a condo on the river. Mer, as she was known to her grands and eventually to everyone, never tired of watching her river and the gorgeous Southwest Florida sunsets.
She is survived by her children Rick Simpson, III, Cindy Barrios (the late Robert), Ginny Dickinson (Sal), and Shelly McGovern (Butch); grandchildren Kathleen Barrios Heap (Christian), Richard Aaron Simpson (Angela), Kristin Lorraine Barrios, Matthew Lawhon Simpson, Robert (Rob) Anthony Barrios, Jr. (Lauren), Ally Dickinson Smith (Connor), Jessica Dickinson Casalegno (Carlo), Mallory Gwynne McGovern, and Carly Simpson McGovern and six great grandchildren: Andi Simpson, Wade Simpson, John Robert Barrios, Charlotte Barrios, Weston Smith and Grady Heap. She is also survived by her sister Ginger Webster (Bink), special niece Kathleen Webster Davis (Scott), and nephews Matthew Webster (Stephanie), and Bob Hinson (Kathy).
At her request, she was buried early in the morning of July 18 in Memorial Gardens, with just her children present.
Mer’s casual Celebration of Life service will be held August 2, 10:00 a.m. at the Alliance for the Arts at 10091 McGregor Blvd. A brunch reception and swimming will be held immediately after at the Clubhouse and pool of Harbour Isle Yacht & Racquet, 15180 Harbour Isle Drive (Ginny and Sal’s home).
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any of the charities Mer gave her time and talents to over the years.
What’s your fondest memory of Katherine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Katherine?
Share a story where Katherine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Katherine you’ll never forget.
How did Katherine make you smile?
