Sarah Ellen Simpkins

Miss Sarah Ellen Simpkins, 59, resident of Steeplechase Court in Columbia, died Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Williamson Medical Center. Graveside services will be conducted Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at St. John's Churchyard, Ashwood with Rev. Bob Adair officiating. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born in Atlanta, Georgia she was the daughter of Dorothy McKee Simpkins of Columbia and the late Dr. Carl Newton Simpkins, Jr. Miss Simpkins graduated from the University of Tennessee and earned her DDS degree from UT Medical School in Memphis in 1978. She was a Lt. Commander in the United States Navy, retired, then graduated with a Masters in Hospital Administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She last worked in administration at the V.A. Hospital in La Jolla, California until her retirement in Spring Hill. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church. Survivors include a brother, Carl N. Simpkins, III of Spring Hill; sisters, Mary Simpkins of Bethesda, Maryland, Laura (Farrell) Levy of Knoxville; nieces, Rachel Levy and Carolyn (Eric) Gilliam both of Knoxville; and several cousins including special cousin, Carl (Carol) Sosnin of Birmingham, Alabama.