Clarice Fay Simpson was born on March 18, 1929 in St. Andrew Kingston Jamaica West Indies. She was born to Herbert George Blackwood and Loretta Elizabeth Williams. She was a determined self-educated woman of integrity and great faith, which she generously shared with others to offer comfort, encouragement and support along life’s journey.
Early in Clarice's life she dreamed of becoming an outstanding seamstress. After graduating from Alpha Academy High School it was realized that Clarice had become an avid reader and excelled in economics and sewing. Her first job was as a time keeper, but she desired to teach young men and women how to sew as a trade which she did. Her real goal was to go to the USA and become a fashion designer, and she never lost sight of her vision.
At 18 years old she met her debonair, handsome husband Oswald George Fitz Simpson. They were later married and produced and reared five precious gifts from God. Daughters Mrs. Sonia Bandoo, Mrs. Elizabeth Morton, Rev. Sandra Coleman, Mrs. Lorna Silver Bush and her only son the late Leighton Alfred Simpson. With the help of her beloved mother Loretta, Clarice was able to balance working outside of the home while she continued with community endeavors. Clarice later reached her goal in becoming a home owner. She purchased her first home in Pembroke hall community of Jamaica.
She sang in the Kingsgate church choir where she followed the Lord in baptism. She presented herself in the community as a young woman of vision and integrity. She later came to the United States of America with the intentions of attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. She was unstoppable in her pursuits as she prayed and sought the Lord's will for her life.
The Family was strengthened by the loving, dependable presence of her mother lovingly known as (Miss Will). Clarice continued to seek God and accomplish her goals in the United States. In 1970 while working for the Jamaican government, after helping so many people obtain Visa's, she was miraculously granted a Visa to go to the United States with her children. Finding employment in the United States was quit a challenge but Clarice was unstoppable!
Clarice took the challenge and was found to be competent enthusiastic and dependable. She work for Simplicity Patterns for twenty eight years and was an outstanding freelance designer and pattern maker. Her claim to fame was personally fitting one dress for the movie stars Sofia Loren and finishing touches to one dress for Elizabeth Taylor and the creation of the material girl outfit to include other articles in Simplicity Patterns.
In her spiritual walk the lord lead her to Marble Collegiate Church where she dropped anchor and began to seek more truth from the word of the Lord. She was inspired by Dr. Peale and Dr. Caliandro which brought solace over the years. It all began by reading a copy of the book "The Power of Positive Thinking".
Upon arriving at the Marble Collegiate church she became a volunteer with the help line services for ten years and began ushering immediately and extended in to 4 decades. She went to form a selfless lifestyle of caring and sharing the love of Jesus Christ in the wisdom that he gives to those that will listen and obey.
Along her path of successes and failures eventually she had her share of health challenges she survived up until now. In her own her own words "One night when I was a patient at the Lenox Hill Hospital I looked up at the white ceiling and saw the preens of the Lord as a bright light shining down on me giving me the assurance that I should trust him. I felt his peace almost immediately and transported to a beautiful garden filled with the aroma of scented flowers. I said Lord; I will not ask you why? I will accept this and trust you, if it is your will that I be healed, I will praise your name with every breath for the rest of my life. If it’s not your will I simply ask for forgiveness for the sins of my youth. Prepare my soul to meet you I repent of all my sins and thank you to cleanse me with your blood I now receive the peace that passes all understanding. My life is n your hands you are the great physician. Lord I am going to take your hand and you will see me through this. This round of illness brought me down to 119 lbs. with all the changes that came with this trauma, but I had real joy because I had surrendered my all to God. I was on an incredible spiritual ride".
She is survived by her children Sonia Bandoo, Elizabeth Morton, Sandra Coleman and Lorna Silverbush 12 grandchildren Sharon Mcclean Evans, Stephen, Peter, Conrad Bandoo, Tyrone Morton, Alfred Simpson, Quentin and Zoe Coleman, Paul Jr, and Danyel Service, And Rebecca and Joshua Silverbush. The following grand children have preceded her in death, Corey Coleman, Howard and David Bandoo. Great grandchildren, Adam, Kristen, Joshua, Martina Bandoo, Aaron and James Evans, Mathew, Lauren, Gabby, Nicholas Bandoo, Jeani, Brielle and Gaven Service, Jonah Crossland and Baby Brycen (due in September 2014).
Acknowledgments
The family would like to thank Marble Collegiate Church and their women's ministry support from the beginning of Clarice's health challenges to her glorious transition.
The Family recognizes and would like to thank Lorna and Bob silverbush for their contributions over the years. Mrs. Elizabeth Morton and her family, Rev. sandy Coleman from Love Center Ministries in Oakland California. Her late Son Mr. Leighton Alphanso Simpson for his attentiveness to his mother in her time of need. Her Grandson Peter Bandoo for his contribution of video and IT services and the creation of her last memories website http://clarice-simpson.last-memories.com . Mr. Paul Service Jr for his willingness to assist in carrying out his grandmothers wishes during this season. Last but not least Sharon Elizabeth Mcclean-Evans for the excellent care, love and support she showed her grandmother and for outstanding and tireless work for pulling these finally arrangements together with integrity and steadfastness. To all the other numerous friends and family, we deeply appreciated your love, prayers and support.
Respectfully,
Sonia Bandoo (Daughter) and Peter Bandoo (Grandson)