Dr. Harold Dean Simpson, Sr.

Harold Dean was born July 12, 1934, just north of Berry, Alabama. He grew up on a farm and graduated from Berry High School. Dean accepted the call to be ordained a Southern Baptist Minister when he was 18 years old. He graduated from Florence State University with bachelors' degrees in English, History, Chemistry, and Biology. Dean continued his education, receiving his Master's degree from Appalachian State University in Biological Science, then his Doctorate in Education from Nova International University. While teaching at Mitchell Community College in Statesville, he was recruited to help start Wilkes Community College where he served as a professor of microbiology and analytical chemistry for 14 years.

Dean served as pastor of several Baptist and Non-Denominational Churches in Alabama and North Carolina. He was the founder and director of Helping Hands Ministries, Inc., an international missions' outreach. He trained and led teams in medical campaigns, building construction, Bible conferences, children's ministries, and evangelism in 25 different countries throughout the world. Dean was out of the USA multiple times each year leading others for the cause of Christ. In Kenya, a crowd of 10,000 people came to hear Dean share the gospel. He was arrested and jailed for sharing the gospel message in Vietnam.

Dean was married to Margaret Patricia Steelman Simpson for 58 years. He passed away at home on February 4, 2023 surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his wife Pat, his daughter Ann Simpson, and his son-in-law Steve Day. He is survived by his brother T.A. (Tut) Simpson, his children Melody Day, Vickie Cook (BJ), Lara Johnson (Jeff) and Bear Simpson (Rhonda). He is also survived by 8 grandchildren- Stephen Day (Jade), Tiffany Hudgins (Darron), Renee Barrier (DJ), Ben Cook (Caitlin), Jacob Cook (Krista), Luke Simpson (Kate), Nicholas Simpson, and Madison Simpson and 8 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Dr. Dean Simpson will be on March 11,2023 at Cornerstone Assembly of God, 650 Glover St., Statesville, NC 28625 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting active missionaries through your local church to continue the legacy of Dean's life purpose of sharing God's love with others.