Obituary

Cathie Deyerle Simpson, 77, of Charleston, WV, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2024, after fighting a long-term illness. She is loved dearly and will be missed by many.

Cathie was born in Charleston, WV, in 1947. She was a graduate of Charleston High School, Class of 1964. She then graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Gamma Sorority. Cathie started her teaching career at Chesapeake Elementary. She furthered her education by attending COGS, obtaining two master’s degrees: a master’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in education administration, all while raising her young daughter as a single mother. In 1986, she and her daughter moved to Henrico County, VA, where she continued her love for teaching at Maude Trevett Elementary School.

During 30-plus years of her teaching career, she made a huge impact on thousands of students, not only in their education, but in demonstrating, strength, courage and perseverance in overcoming obstacles in life. When she was 29 years old, she survived a house fire that burned 85% of her body. Despite doctors’ predictions, she lived. She spent 8 1/2 months at West Penn State Hospital receiving treatment where she beat all the odds, regaining her daily life activities and walking again. She obtained her first master’s degree 11 months later.

Although she struggled with health issues and physical handicaps, she lived her life to the fullest. She had an uncanny ability to find happiness in her life. Her favorite hobby was spending hours gardening. She was a Master Gardener and was enrolled as a Life Member in the West Virginia Garden Club. She also loved traveling, her pets, camping, hiking, wildflower walks, collecting seashells at the ocean and, most of all, her three grandsons. Her favorite moments with them were at the beach, watching their various activities, and going to lunch and the movies.

Cathie was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Bettie Deyerle. She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Simpson, (James Hemme); her three grandsons, Noell, Max and Jack Bland; her three step grandchildren, Adam, Jonathan and Clairice Hemme, and her beloved cousin, who was like a sister, Gina Mangiaracino.

Cathie was further blessed with a support family of lifelong friends who were always there for her and her daughter, Victoria and Edward Hamilton, Linda Stone, Mary Dawson, Penny Kehde (Dan), Chris Stone, Amber Dawson McMillion (Keith), Kara Watkins Risk, Pam Nary Loftis, and Martha Perdue.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kanawha Hospice Care, Inc., 3200 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Charleston, WV 25304, www.hospicecarewv.org, or the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association at 1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV, 25311, https://adoptcharleston.com/support#donate-today.

Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Village Chapel Presbyterian Church, 3818 Venable Avenue, Charleston, WV.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the church.

Condolences may be sent to Cathie’s family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.