Carolyn Jean Simpson

Carolyn Jean Phelps (Bryan) Simpson left this world peacefully on March 14, 2025, at Bronte Health & Rehab, Bronte, Texas. She was born December 22, 1948, in Winters, Texas in the Winters Hospital.

She was the daughter of Wilburn and Geraldine (Belew) Phelps. Carolyn was their only child. When Carolyn was a child, she and her parents moved to Tarzan, Texas. Carolyn went to first grade at Grady School and the family moved back to Winters, and Carolyn started second grade in Winters Elementary and graduated from Winters High School in 1967.

Carolyn married Clifton Bryan in July 1967. They had 2 daughters Christy Martin of Plains, Texas, and Cherry Sumrall of Athens, Texas.

Carolyn was a stay-at-home housewife and mom for years.

They lived in the Hatchel Community. They later owned and operated Bryan’s Western Wear in Winters, Texas. Years later they built the Skate Palace in Ballinger, around the year 1983, Carolyn went to work at Bill’s Grocery in Ballinger. Carolyn worked there for 20 years. She made lots of friends in those years.

In 1988 she and Clifton Bryan were divorced. In the year 2000 she met the love of her life, Rodney Simpson, and they dated for 4 years and married on January 3, 2004. The marriage gave them lots of family.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Rodney Simpson, her daughter Christy (Kyle) Martin of Plains, Texas, Cherry (Jeff) Sumrall of Athens, Texas. Stepchildren Tammie Simpson of Tyler, Texas, Jay (Kendra) Simpson of Corinth, Texas, Amy (Steve) Allred of Houston, Texas, Becky Simpson of New Braunfels, Texas, Peggy (Chris) Biga of Birmingham Alabama.

She loved being called Mema by her grandchildren, Chanta (Josh) Shellenbarger of Palestine, Texas, Jacob (Jordan) Brink of Andrews, Texas, Jaston Brink of Yukon, Oklahoma , DaAnn (Alex) Lowe of Palestine, Texas, Cole Sumrall of Athens, Texas, Emilee Martin of Claude, Texas, Dusty Henderson of New Braunfels Texas, Maycee Henderson of Austin Texas, Sadie (Michael) Zesch of San Angelo Texas, Beaux Minnick of New Braunfels Texas, Emily (Jessie) Dickens of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Holly Simpson of Corinth, Texas and Avery Biga of Birmingham, Alabama.

7 Great Grandchildren, Malcolm Shellenbarger of Palestine Texas, James, Jett, & Jagger Brink of Andrews, Texas, Emersyn Martin of Claude, Texas, Taylor Henderson of New Braunfels, Texas, Juliette Dickens of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Private Family graveside services were held in Miles, Texas, on March 22, 2025.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards Bronte Health & Rehab for the great care and love for Carolyn during her stay.