Mary Marshall Simpson

Mary Marshall Simpson was born December 1, 1929 to the late Jesse E. Marshall, Sr. and Hattie Washington Marshall. She is preceded in death by three brothers, Jesse E. Marshall, Jr., William and Samuel Hall; four sisters, Carrie Marshall, Hattie Marshall (Chicago, IL), Lida Vinsang and Susie Bostick.


Mary was a 1947 graduate of Haynes High School. She was a majorette, cheerleader, guard on the basketball team and a member of the glee club. Mary professed her hope in Christ and under the late Reverend J. C. Fields, at Pleasant Green Baptist Church. She later joined the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church on Herman Street under the late Reverend William E. Gardner. She later moved her membership to Greater St. John Baptist Church on April 2, 2006, under the leadership of Reverend Herbert T. Brown. She was a faithful member until her health failed. As her health declined, she later worshiped with True Praise Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Everette Benson, located at 451 Ponder Place Nashville, TN, where she lived for 24 years.


Mary was a kind, loving and compassionate woman of God. Her smile was contagious and she never met a stranger. She worked at Miller’s Clinic Hospital and Nashville Healthcare. At the age of 50, she attended Medical Career College to become a certified nurse technician. Mary loved helping others.


Mary was formally married to Burley Nelson, Sr. and to that union, two girls were born. Mary taught her children to be kind, courteous and obedient young ladies in the sight of God.


Mary will forever be cherished by the memory of her loving daughters, Sister Shirley Clark, Reverend Dr. Loretta Linton; a loving son-in-law, Reverend Melvin Linton; nieces, Dorothy Henry, Chicago, IL, Mary Lucille (Melvin) Collins, Nan Bostick, Buford, GA, nephews, Francis W (Corazon) Bostick, Marcellus Bostick, Edward Vinsang, Sr.; great nieces, Deborah Henry, Chicago, IL, Theresa (James) Thomas, Buford, GA, Jada Vinsang, Smyrna, GA, Amber (André) Walton; great nephews, Howard M. Henry, Chicago, IL, Ryan Collins, DeAnthony Collins, Edward Vinsang, Jr., Wasilla, AK; a host of great great nieces, nephews and cousins. Devoted high school friend Ms. Jeanette Bean; devoted families Metro Teachers Apartment family, the Finch family, the Chandler family, friends, Shelba (Burley) Nelson, Ms. Sharon Sanders and Mr. Madison Sweeney. Godchildren, Connie (Richard) Boles, Jackie Claybrooks, Sonya Claybrooks and James Claybrooks, Jr.