February 19, 1923 – October 19, 2022
Betsy Johns was the daughter of a pioneer Kendall County family. She was the youngest of four children born in Boerne to Joseph D “Pappy” Johns Jr and Camille (Johnson) Johns Simpson
Johns. Family lore has it that Betsy’s grandfather, a young Joseph Johns Sr, (born 1832) had a case of “Texas Fever,” setting out to seek his fortune in the young state, riding horseback across the South from his native Lunenburg County VA, where his family had been established since the 1660’s.
Betsy was born in Boerne and was raised at the Johns ranch, west of Boerne. She soon grew into the self-reliant ways of ranch life, many years later dusting off those early skills to produce a Thanksgiving turkey on a wood-burning stove, astonishing her daughter in law. The Johns ranch house had no electricity until the 1940’s but they had a kerosene refrigerator, bright Aladdin lamps, a garden with corn and many other vegetables—they were more fortunate than many folks during the depression and were grateful for what they had. Most food was grown right on the ranch—a healthy diet of lean meat and game, chickens, and eggs, plenty of vegetables and homemade bread with butter churned from their cow. Despite the rigors of operating a hill country ranch, the Johns family always maintained a sort of Virginia gentility, valuing character, being well read, getting a thorough education, and having an appreciation for the needs of others.
Betsy was a popular student at the Boerne Schools, then attended San Antonio College and UT in Austin. She served a stint in the Governor’s office working for family friend, then Governor, Coke Stevenson.
It seems only natural that Betsy would marry Willard E Simpson after WWII, the returning veteran Major Simpson (TX A&M ’38, US Army Reserve, Corps of Engineers) was astonished to discover the little Betsy he had known before the war had grown into a very attractive young lady! Nuptials took place May 23, 1948, again at St. Helena’s in Boerne. The newlyweds moved to San Antonio and into a brand-new house in the College Hills section of Alamo Heights. Three children soon followed, and Betsy and Willard set a pattern of raising their kids with a close connection to the outdoors, with many trips back to Kendall County for Sunday lunches, riding horseback, frigid nights at the deer lease, and fishing out at the old ranch.
There was no empty nest syndrome for Betsy! With kids gone, she swung quite easily into volunteering for the Battle of Flowers parade, eventually serving a term as President of the Battle of Flowers Association. Both Betsy and Willard became pillars of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in downtown San Antonio, teaching Sunday school. Over many years Betsy made thousands of biscuits for the St. Mark’s Lenten Luncheons. Betsy also served for many years With the St. Marks Altar Guild, always being appreciated for her both her flower arranging skills, energy and can-do spirit. Later, she served as a member of the Vestry at St. Mark’s. Lunching with her pals and serving as a Bluebird at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio became important to her, later in life.
Betsy was an artist. She really blossomed as a member of the St. Mark’s very talented “Threads of Blessings” group that produced fine stitchery for the church and charity fund raising— sticking with the group, and driving herself to weekly sessions into her 90’s.
Betsy was also a masterful fisherman—to Willard’s great bemusement. Whether fishing for trout and redfish with a guide at the coast or with their pals, Betsy was the one who brought the fish to the boat. The couple made a number of fly-fishing trips to a favorite ranch in Northern Colorado, where they dodged black bears and caught trout in the small streams, Betsy always canny and patient. They also enjoyed many South Texas trips, catching black bass with Betsy’s brotherin- law, the late Captain CW Sims (USN) who by that time had retired to Boerne.
Betsy’s final home was at the The Overlook at Menger Springs, Morningside Manor in Boerne. She continued her winning ways there, instantly making friends and showing the kindness, good cheer and giving spirit that characterized her whole life.
Betsy Simpson is survived by her children David Simpson (Becky), Mary Simpson (James Reinke), Elizabeth (Lili) Simpson (Ned Wheeler), and her Grandson Nicol Wheeler and loving nieces, a nephew, and cousins.
The family’s heartfelt thanks to the Betsy’s longtime caregivers, Pat Tyler, Janie Cragle and to Leola Thomas for her service to Betsy during her hospice stay.
A Memorial Service will be held on November 3, 2022 at 11am at St Mark’s Episcopal Church, 315 E. Pecan St., San Antonio TX 78205.
For those unable to attend, livestreaming will be available from the link within her obituary page at www.porterloring.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 315 E. Pecan St., San Antonio, Texas 78205, or Morningside Ministries, 7550 W. I-10, Suite 210, San Antonio, Texas 78229.
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