by Lori Owen

Who's Who at New Summit

Meet Our Elders

Each of the coming weeks we will feature one of the elders of our church in this section.  Our goal is to help everyone become familiar with who our elders are by sharing a little bit of information about them.

Carol Simpson was born and raised in Akron, Ohio.  She is married to John and they have 4 daughters (Gail, who lives in Houston; Shelly, who lives in Wisconsin; Angie, and Nasha) and 2 sons (Rick, who lives in Pennsylvania; and Dan, who lives in Arkansas).

Carol received a Music Education degree from the University of Akron in 1961.  She received her Master's degree from Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) in the ‘90s.  Locally she taught for 3 years in Kansas City.  In Lee's Summit, she taught at Lee's Summit Elementary for 3 years and 17 years at Prairie View Elementary.  She has been retired for 7 years.

Carol's favorite stringed instrument is the cello because of its mellow tones.  Her favorite brass instrument is the French horn since it goes well with woodwind instruments and can be used in a lot of different ways.  Her favorite woodwind instrument is the bassoon, also for its more mellow tone as well as its ability to be very clowny!  The highlight of Carol's singing engagements came with the 12 years she sang as part of an octet with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus.  This group originally began as the Kansas City Civic Chorus.

When asked about her hobbies, Carol's first response (with a big smile!) was "My kids!"  She also enjoys gardening and scrapbooking (even though her schedule does not allow her to spend as much time as she used to on it).

Another hobby Carol is very passionate about is reading.  Her favorite type of books are Christian and history.  One of her favorite authors is Gilbert Morris.  Gilbert Morris is one of today's best-known Christian novelists.  One of his best-selling works includes The House of Winslow, a series of 39 books following the Winslow family's journeys on the Mayflower through World War II.  Other series by Gilbert Morris that Carol enjoys include:   Cheney Duvall; Cheney & Shiloh:  The Inheritance; and, The Spirit of Appalachia.  Other authors that she enjoys are Karen Kingsbury, Michael Phillips, Judith Pella (Patchwork Circle Series/Sister's Choice), and Jim Stovall (The Ultimate Series/The Ultimate Gift).

One of the mission projects Carol and her family are a part of is the Mission to the Dineh in Arizona.  For the past several years they have traveled to Arizona in the summer to do a variety of work at the reservation including manual labor for several of the families and teaching Vacation Bible School.  Consider joining them next summer!

In response to whether there was something she had not done yet that she would like to do, Carol replied, "The biggest thing I want is to see my children become Christians.  And, so far, it is working out okay."

Carol credits both John and her grandmother for playing a significant role in influencing her faith.  "My grandmother always went to church and always read the Bible.  She is the one who told me I would become a music teacher and marry a minister!"

 Click on a name below to learn more about our Elders

Matt Starr

Jaye Pryor  

Shamus Johnson

Dan Gordon

Marcia Finke

Doug Corkern

George Hook 

Joice Trout