Valerie D. Sissle-Simpson

Valerie Sissle-Simpson was born to Vernita Walton and gifted to the union of Sidney Mae and AC Sissle on September 7th 1952. The only girl in the family, she always wanted sisters. She had, growing up one special friend she considered her sister as a child, Karen Spicer. At age 35 she found her biological mother and with her came five sisters she never knew she had. Learning to be a sister to a sister was one of her greater challenges in later years.

She received Christ and was baptized at seven at Mount Zion Baptists Church. She reaffirmed her faith and was baptized again at St. Jude Deliverance Center. Two years later she was filled with the Holy Ghost. She was called to Ministry in 1975 during a closed vision. She never expected to preach stating "when I asked God to use me I had in mind singing in the choir and ushering. I was too shy to speak in front of people."

She believed in education, receiving a nursing certificate from IVY Tech, an Associate degree in nursing from Marian University, a Bachelor's degree in religious studies from Martin University, and a Bachelor's degree in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan, and both a Masters and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary. It was not unusual for her to refer to herself as a professional student.

During this academic marathon, she married twice, first to Norman Williams and lastly to Deacon Charlie Simpson; raised two daughters; worked as a fulltime nurse, pastored, started a real estate business, encouraged gang members to get saved and preached the Gospel of Jesus the Christ.

She married Deacon Charlie Simpson on September 3, 2006 at Summit Christian Church at a wedding that people came to just to see if she was going to go through with it. Valerie said she married Simpson because he made her laugh.
More than anything in life, Valerie had a passion for people who were lost, living without God in the world.

She is preceded in death and anxious to see both sets of parents, grandparents and friends. She leaves to remember her and laugh about the good times: two daughters Nadine (Jeffery) Pina and Joy Williams, four brothers; Robert (Paula) Sissle, Jimmy (Sharon) Thompson, Hans Derrick, Nathan Sissle; four sisters, Janet (Delano) McCants, Jean Thompson, Joyce (Maurice) Burton, Venice Thompson; and additional survivors, Karen Spicer, Alfreda (Bill) Thompson-Clark, Sondra Gentry, Crystal (Shelby) Walker a tribe of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and a host of dearly loved friends.

Valerie passed away at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at her residence in Indianapolis, Indiana. She will be deeply missed.

Valerie's friends and family may visit from 10 – 12 PM on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 925 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. The funeral service will follow at 12 PM at the funeral home. For the health and safety of all guest attending, face masks are required. Interment will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery, 700 38th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208.