Eunice Ray Emery Simpkins, 91, of Nampa, passed away early Friday morning, January 14, 2011 with her family surrounding her. The family will greet family and friends at a viewing on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. at the Parkview Cemetery in New Plymouth and a Memorial Celebration of her life will follow at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Nampa Church of the Brethren. Eunice Emery Simpkins was born in Story, Arkansas on September 26, 1919, the daughter of William Emery and Nancy Shelby Emery. At the age of three weeks her family moved to Holdenville, Oklahoma, where her father farmed and served as Deputy Sheriff. In 1924 the family moved to Madill, Oklahoma where she grew up and graduated from Madill schools and Murray College in Tishimingo, Oklahoma.

Eunice joined the U.S. Women Marines in 1944 and was stationed at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Norman, Oklahoma. In early 1945 she was transferred to Arlington, Virginia and worked in the main Navy Building in Washington, D.C. until her discharge in 1946.

She was married to L.C. Simpkins in Oakland, California September 20, 1947. They moved to Olympia, Washington where Eunice worked in the Dept. of Transportation. In 1950, they moved to Yreka, California. While living in Yreka, she worked as a court clerk and legal secretary before moving to Idaho in 1976.

She was a member of the Nampa First Church of the Brethren.

She is survived by her husband, L.C. Simpkins; two sons, William Simpkins of Bend, Oregon and Stephen Simpkins of North Bend, Oregon; and two grandchildren, John Simpkins and Sara Simpkins.

Her four sisters and one brother preceded her in death.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Sjogrens Syndrome Foundation at www.sjogrens.org.

Service Information Visitation Monday January 17, 2011 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM