Silvey James "Jim" Simpson

Silvey James (Jim) Simpson died on Friday, October 3, 2025. He was born on September 29, 1943, in Vienna, Georgia to Herbert James and Bessie Carolyne Silvey Simpson. He lived in Tifton as a small child and then his family moved to Macon, where he graduated from Lanier High School in 1961. Jim was a snare drummer and Drum Major of the Lanier/Miller High School marching band. He attended the University of Georgia and obtained a B.S. in Psychology in 1965, and an Masters of Social Work in 1967. Jim began his social work career as a counselor at Child Service and Family Counseling in Atlanta. He later was the head of social services for the Grady Hospital Maternal and Infant Care Clinic and then became head of social services at Egleston Children's Hospital. He joined the federal service in 1974 and worked for 32 years with various social programs under the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) agency. He managed programs such as child welfare and head start for the Southeast Region. He also served on Vice President Al Gore's Fatherhood Initiative and received several awards for his work.

Jim married Jeanne Swink Simpson on January 1, 1982. He became quite a talented photographer. He helped his oldest daughter, Jeneane, learn to play the snare drum and encouraged her in marching band to play various percussion instruments. He was a basketball and softball coach for his youngest daughter, Catherine and was named Coach of the Year for the Mountain Park Athletic Association. He later began raising registered Angus beef on the historic Swink farm in North Carolina and enjoyed farming part time.

Jim was a deacon at Smokerise Baptist Church and an elder and deacon at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Stone Mountain. He encouraged Jeanne to go to seminary as a second career and supported her in her ministry from 2014 until his death. He loved to edit her sermons and discuss Bible with her. He most recently served as "pastor's spouse" for Jeanne at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Forest Park. Jim is survived by his wife, Jeanne; daughters, Jeneane Simpson Chmieleski (Phil) and Catherine Simpson (Chris Pell); brother and sister-in-law, Ebbie and Dawn Makarios; three nephews, Kyle (Erin), Matthew, and Jesse (Kristi), as well as five great nephews and nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church on October 22, 2025 at 11:00, with interment of his ashes at a later date in the Walker Chapel Cemetery in Morganton, N.C.

Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, A Heritage Company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorials may be given to Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 871028, Morrow, Ga. 30287.