Isabell Simpson…February 22, 1939 – December 21, 2020

Funeral Services for Isabell Simpson will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Horber Funeral Chapel in Las Animas, Colorado with Pastor Rod Coulter officiating. A private family interment will take place at Fort Lyon National Cemetery. Current COVID-19 public health orders will be followed.

Isabell Morrow Simpson was born February 22, 1939 in La Junta, Colorado to Bruce and Mary Jane (Land) Morrow. She passed away on December 21, 2020 at the Bent County Healthcare Center in Las Animas, Colorado at the age of 81.

Isabell loved books, sewing, dancing, 4-H, community volunteering, and having a cup of tea with friends.

Isabell drove the bookmobile for many years bringing books to many of the rural areas of Southeast Colorado. The bookmobile holds a special place in the hearts of those that looked forward to the arrival of the library on wheels. Isabell’s grandkids enjoyed going on the bookmobile to look for books that Grandma would read with them.

Isabell always had a sewing project in the works.  She sewed many items of clothing for her kids; Santa Fe Trail Day costumes, dresses, shirts, coats, and vests. She had a passion for quilting and made quilts for many over the years.  One quilting project Isabell participated in was to sew “Mended Heart” quilts for families affected by 9-11.

Her grandkids remember fondly, Grandma teaching them to read, cooking favorite meals, looking for peacock feathers, the Christmas Village, Bag Balm, traveling with books on tape (Hank the Cowdog being a favorite), and every drawer having Avon stashed in it.

One thing Isabell was known for was her dislike of eggs and any “fowl” meat as she put it. The family always had ham to go along with the turkey at Thanksgiving. The other “staple” of holiday meals was Grandma Simpson’s Cheesecake, everyone loved it and always thought she made it especially for them.

Isabell was always game to travel and see the grandkids.   When a new grandbaby was born, Isabell would pack her bags and spend as much time as she could with the new addition, wherever the new grandchild was; be it Colorado, Montana, Arizona, and even Alaska. Through rain or shine and even a blizzard once, there was no stopping Isabell from being there.

Isabell was preceded in death by her husbands, Richard A. Simpson and Franklin J. Robertson. She is survived by her brothers, Kenneth (Karen) Morrow and Dr. Robert (Darlene) Morrow; children, Janet Martinez, Franklin “Bud” (Sylvia) Robertson, Barbara (Keith) Reynolds, James (Danette) Robertson, Thom (Tracy) Simpson, Lyndell (Bart) Story, Wayne (Jill) Simpson, and Brian Sutak; many grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and numerous people who were touched by her kindness and warmth. All who entered her home were treated as family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

To leave online condolences please visit www.horberfuneralchapel.com.