[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        IN CELEBRATION OF MRS. GRACIE G. SIMPSON'S 85TH BIRTHDAY

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a 
beloved role model and gracious woman of faith, Mrs. Gracie G. Simpson. 
On Sunday, September 1, 2013, Mrs. Simpson was honored by her family 
and friends at a birthday celebration at the Howard Community Club in 
Macon, Georgia.
  Gracie Mae Peck was born on August 29, 1928, in Macon, Georgia, to 
the late Willie B. Peck and the late Claire Mae Fulton. She was the 
second child, with one older sister, one younger sister, and two 
younger brothers, all of whom are now deceased.
  Back in the days when she was young, many children did not have the 
opportunity to complete school and had to begin working at a young age. 
For 43 years of her life, Mrs. Simpson worked at Tom's Foods, Inc., 
known to many as ``the candy company.'' However, she was able to return 
to school to take computer classes before retiring.
  Mrs. Simpson was married to J. Z. Simpson, Sr., for 54 years until 
his death in October of 2008. She has three sons, Donald Gibson, Jr., 
Zebbie Simpson, and Michael Simpson, and one daughter, Jan Simpson 
Walker.
  She has eight grandchildren: Donald, Eunicer, Christen, Jerome, 
Marcus, Marvin, Keisha, and Kelicia. She also has six great-
grandchildren: Grace, Hannah, Abigail, Katelynn, DJ, and Christian.
  Mrs. Simpson has achieved numerous successes in her life, but none of 
this would have been possible without the love and support of her 
adoring family. Voted ``Reigning Queen'' at Pearl Stephens Village 
Senior Apartments, she enjoys fishing and going on walks. She loves 
spending time with her family and is a great cook. She makes a mean 
sweet potato pie and a delicious peach cobbler. She is full of life and 
spunk and her family knows very well that ``if you don't want to hear 
the truth, don't ask her a question.''
  Most important to Mrs. Simpson is her sturdy and enduring 
relationship with the Lord. She has been a member of Greater Little 
Rock Baptist Church for over 60 years. She has served on the Mother 
Board Association, Choir, Deaconesses, Food Bank, Women of Flow 
Ministry, and Kitchen Ministry.
  The race of life isn't given to the swift or to the strong, but to 
those who endure until the end. Mrs. Simpson has run the race of life 
with grace and dignity and God has blessed her over her lifetime.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mrs. 
Simpson for her 85 fruitful and productive years of life.

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