Barbara Simpson Ector

Barbara B. (Simpson) Ector

Barbara Beathe (Simpson) Ector was born on July 11, 1957 in Memphis, Tennessee to Dorothy S. (Grant) Simpson and Floyd Simpson, Sr.   After a very fruitful and productive life, she went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

She is preceded in death by her father Floyd Simpson, Sr., brother Ronald Q. Simpson and grandparents.

She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years – Aubrey Ector, her mother – Dorothy Simpson, her daughters – Audrienne B. (Corderell) Cuyler and Aundrea L. Ector, a special nephew – Antonio L. Simpson, her grandchildren – Dakhylin E. Ector, Ameria J. Moore, Destori O. Ector, Cole B. Cuyler and Kennedy M. Cuyler, her brother – Floyd Simpson, Jr., mother-in-law Olivia Benton, uncles and aunts Willie Grant, Jr. (Bettye), George Grant (Deborah), Maurice Grant, Oscar Simpson, Rodney Simpson, Ocelia Simpson (Joy),  Eddie Simpson (Ginnett), Ethel Simpson, Betty Mullins, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Barbara confessed a hope of salvation in Christ as a teenager at the Greater Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in the Hyde Park community of North Memphis.  At church and at home, she was taught the Christian lifestyle of genuine faith in God that transforms lives.

On June 27, 1981, after a courtship of six years, she married the love of her life, Aubrey Ector.  They have been inseparable for over four decades, living in Houston, Texas, Lake Charles, Lousiana and Cleveland, Tennessee.  She has been the quintessential faithful and loving wife.

Barbara’s work career spanned forty-four (44) years and included a teaching position with Memphis City Schools, management positions with AT&T and Southwestern Bell, vocational rehabilitation consulting positions with the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and with Crawford and Company.  Her career was most defined by thirty-six (36) years with Cleveland City Schools where she served as a middle school social studies teacher, curriculum coordinator, Principal of the Denning Center, and Dean of Students/Vice Principal at Cleveland High School.  Her leadership, compassion, and dedication to the success of every student were evident in all that she did.

Barbara’s educational achievements included Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees from George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt University and the Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from Lincoln Memorial University.  Her accolades and awards include:

Building Level Teacher of the year for 1991, 1997, 2003, 2004 and 2007
Nominated for Walt Disney Teacher of the Year in 2002 and 2003
Cleveland City Schools system level Teacher of the year for grades 5-8 (2006/2007)
One of three in the nation to receive National Civic Educator of the year (2007)
NAACP John H. Peterson Teacher of the year (2007)
Tennessee Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year (2008)
National Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year (2008/2009)
East Tennessee Assistant Principal of the Year (2020) by the Tennessee Association of Secondary School Principals.

Barbara’s highest gratification came from her faith in God and her roles as wife, mother, grandmother and church leader.  She served alongside her husband Aubrey in pastoral ministry for several decades, and with her husband founded Unity Christian Ministries, Inc.  As a part of her Christian service, she has been a counselor, role model and mentor to many.  Her passion, energy, generosity and compassion were a marvel to behold.

She will be missed in an unfathomable way by her family, church family, friends, fellow ministers of the gospel, co-workers and others.  She has truly left behind a great legacy of faith and service to God and humanity.  She has departed this life and gained the abundant entry into the kingdom of God that is spoken of in 1 Peter 1:10-11.  We, her family, church family and others, look forward to seeing her again on the right side of the other side.

Home going celebration service will be Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 12:00 noon at First Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN with Rev. Edward S. Robinson Sr., officiating and Pastor Michael Obi delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 23, 2024 from 4:00 pm. until 6:00 p.m. at M.D. Dotson and Sons Funeral Home – Cleveland, TN, and on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the First Baptist Church. Interment will follow the service at Hiwassee Memorial Gardens Highway 11 in Charleston ,TN.