Ruth Ann Jefferies

Ruth Ann Jefferies passed away at home on March 4th, 2026, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Ruth Ann was born on June 1st, 1950, to Isaac and Lorene Jefferies in Brinkley, Arkansas. She grew up in Brinkley and attended Arkansas State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in music education in 1972. She was an outstanding flute and piano musician. She married Ernie Simpson and became a wonderful mom to two sons, Scott and Stuart. She earned her master's degree in music in 1975. She started the music program at Southland High School in Cardwell, Missouri, then taught a year at Trumann before moving to MacArthur Junior High school in 1974 as their band director. She retired from teaching at MacArthur in 1988 to start her law degree in Little Rock. After obtaining her law license, she worked for the Arkansas Department of Education for 4 years and then moved to manage the Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement. When she retired in 2016, she moved back home to Jonesboro to be closer to her family. She was a member and treasurer of the Daughters of the American Revolution and she especially loved her church family at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where she sang in the choir, served on the vestry and as treasurer.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her son, Scott Simpson. She is survived by her son, Stuart (Amy) Simpson, her grandchildren, Lynlie, Luke and Logan all of Jonesboro; sister, Linda (Danny) Heep of Fayetteville; sister Gail Barbre of Ft. Worth, Texas; and brother Ronnie Jefferies of Humble, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life drop-in will be held Sunday, March 8th, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church from 2-4 pm. A graveside service will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery in Brinkley on Friday, March 13th at 11 am.

The family requests any memorial considerations be given to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 531 W. College Ave, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401. To sign an online guestbook please go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com.