Obituary of Perletha Joyce Simpson

MARCH 30, 1944 – DECEMBER 26, 2021 Perletha May Joyce Simpson—was welcomed into the world on March 30, 1944. She was adored as the only daughter of Author and Alice (nee Hairston) Joyce, and Daniel's little sister. As they watched her sparkling bubbly personality develop, she affectionately became known as Perk. Perk accepted Christ at an early age while worshipping at Bethel A.M.E. as a child and continued her relationship with the Lord throughout her adult life. Perk was born and educated in Baltimore. Maryland and dedicated her life work to educating and providing foster care for its children. She attended Garrison Junior High School (where she would later return to teach), graduated from Forest Park Senior High School in the class of 1962. Perk worked for several years at Westinghouse, and before attending Coppin State College, where she graduated with honors in 1975. In 1974 while studying at Coppin, she Pledged the Zeta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The September following graduation, Perk began her career as a special educator for the Baltimore City Public School System. During her more than thirty years of service, she taught in many schools including: Grove Park Elementary, Calverton Elementary, Garrison Middle, Fallstaff Middle, Pimlico Middle, and the William S. Baer School. She also taught at the Maryland Correctional Institute at Jessup. In 2002, Perk retired from Baltimore City Public Schools as an IEP Chair who worked to build Individualized Education Plans for students with special needs. Her retirement was short lived as Perk returned to the classroom for several years as a special educator, a home and hospital educator--and occasionally--a substitute teacher. Known as a woman of an impeccable style who loved socializing and shopping, Perk, donning her signature blonde hair and gold shoes, could usually be spotted laughing and cracking jokes in the lottery line, at the Giant, or out to lunch with friends. She never met a stranger, everyone she met with walked away feeling special and familiar. Whether traveling "up the road", attending Between the Lines Book Club meetings, participating in events sponsored by her Delta Sorors, Associates of the Greater Baltimore County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, or the Red Hat Hons, Perk loved to have a good time. On December 26, Perk peacefully drifted off into eternal slumber, after a seven month battle with cancer. She joins her parents and brother who will welcome her in Heaven. Perletha May Joyce Simpson will be truly missed. To cherish her memories are: her children, Jerome Wilson Rollins III, Cicely Danielle Hairston Simpson Jones (Michael), and Darryl Kenneth Simpson-Bey; grandchildren, Micah Paige Jones, Mance Parker Jones, Mason Pierce Jones, Foster Zion Jones, Malcolm Jay Simpson-Bey, Diamond Jackson and Gelia Danielle Jackson; sister-in-law, Brenda Joyce of Texas; aunts Helen Lewis of NC and Dorothy Hairston. A host of neices, nephews, cousins and a wealth of treasured friends. A public viewing for Ms. Simpson will be held Monday, January 10th from 4:30 pm until 7:00pm at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD. Homegoing services for Ms. Simpson will be held Tuesday, January 11, 2022, Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD, where the family will receive friends from 2:00pm until 2:30pm with services to follow.