Patricia Ann Simpson Hylton

Patricia Ann Simpson Hylton, beloved wife, mother and friend, passed from this world Friday, March 14, 2008 after a brave battle with cancer.
She was born to Carl Lee Simpson and Malla Bloodworth Simpson on February 6, 1946 in Wilmington, NC. After her parents' untimely deaths, Hylton was raised by her late uncle, James Murphy Simpson.
An empathetic soul with a heart of gold, Hylton lived her life generously and compassionately. She donated her time and talents to such charities as North Carolina Child Advocacy and Abuse, the Norfolk, Virginia Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Virginia Beach Social Services and the Wake County Alcohol Center. Hylton served as a member of Junior League of Raleigh and of Norfolk as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served on the boards of Theater in the Park in Raleigh and the Mary Baldwin College Parents Council. She also had served on the Christ Church Altar Guild. Her fervent dedication for alternative medicine and wellness became a career and when hampered by illness, culminated with her participation in the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Research Study and the Duke University Cancer Survivor Study.
Hylton celebrated life with varied and intense interests. Her creative passions in space planning and design, jewelry design, sewing and knitting, farming and forestry, led her to becoming an active member of the North Carolina Cultural Society. She also loved animals, dancing and music. An avid song writer, Hylton composed music and lyrics, some of which made the popular charts.
In her twenties, she modeled for a time in New York and was featured in magazine advertisements for Max Factor among others.
Lovingly remembered, she is survived by her husband, Dr. James Barry Hylton, Sr. of Raleigh; son, James Barry Hylton, Jr., of Virginia Beach, VA; daughter, Patricia Spencer Gregory, and her late husband, Spencer Gregory (1929-1970); sister, Linda Simpson Bingham, of Sunset Harbor; brother, Carl Lee Simpson, Jr. , of Sunset Harbor, NC; aunt, Rachel Bloodworth Bell, of Jacksonville, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews and many, many loving friends.
Having never met a stranger, she lived life with a warmth and depth that touched all who knew her.
The family will receive friends and loved ones immediately following the memorial service that will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at Christ Church, 120 East Edenton Street, Raleigh.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Christ Episcopal Church, the Duke Cancer Research Center, 2424 Erwin Road, Hock Plaza, Suite 601, Durham, NC 27705, or the K 9 New Life Center, 2993 Seaboard Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456. Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Wake Forest Rd. Raleigh.