Leola Blanche Simpson, 86, of Axtell passed away Monday, March 4 at her home. Services will be at 10 am Thursday, March 7 at Bellmead funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Darrel Phillips officiating. Burial will be at Axtell Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 pm Wednesday, March 6 at the funeral home. Leola was born March 16, 1926 in McLennan County to Robert Franklin and Laura (Dunn) Dodson the youngest of eight children. She graduated from Waco High School and attended Baylor University. She met and later married Lloyd W. Simpson on February 23, 1945 in Waco. She retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. after 38 years of service/management. Leola was a member of Elm Mott United Methodist Church and the Retired Telephone Pioneers. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years; her brothers, R. F. Dodson, Armand Dodson; Beldun Dodson, Orville Dodson and Pheral Dodson; and sisters, Lois Fisk and Maurine Blanton. Survivors include her son, Kenneth Lloyd Simpson of Axtell; daughters, Kandi Czichos and husband, Roy of Corpus Christi and Laura Dunn Taylor and husband, Nathan of Axtell; grandchildren, Kristy Simpson, Matthew Czichos, Leah Taylor, Lorin Rosenbaum and Jacob Simpson; and 2 great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be, James Caldwell, Kyle Headley, Paul Taylor, Harold Seay, Charles Trickett and David Tierce. The family requests memorials be made to Elm Mott United Methodist Church or the Methodist Children's Home.