Dorcas Simpson Pilgreen passed away on April 27, 2018 after a long illness. She was born in the small town of Calera, Alabama to a poor family in 1933. At a young age, Dorcas became the matriarch of her family, taking care of her ailing mother and five brothers and sisters. Dorcas met the love of her life, Tom Pilgreen, and they married in 1952. Their marriage was one for the record books. Times weren’t always easy for them, but their love for each other was eternally strong. Even though they did not have children of their own, their home was a constant hub of activity. It was a rare day that she didn’t have a house guest and multiple people over for dinner. After Tom passed away, Dorcas moved to Huntsville in 1997. She quickly became active at Latham Methodist Church.
By the world’s standards, Dorcas was not accomplished. She did not attend college, did not have a high powered job and was not famous. But to the people that were blessed to know her, she was the boss, the servant, the cook, the seamstress, the one who loved us all the most. Everybody that knew her could tell you a story about how she loved well. She housed us, fed us, encouraged us. Dorcas will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers, David Simpson, Woody Simpson and Fred Simpson, and her sister, Mitzi Exum. She is survived by her sister, Shirley Johnson (Harold) of Huntsville; sisters-in-law, Mary Simpson of Tucson, AZ, and Peggy Simpson of Huntsville; and multiple nieces and nephews. She was well cared for by special helpers Mary Gordon and Janet Jolin.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Latham United Methodist Church followed by the funeral at 11. Burial will be in Shelby Memory Gardens in Calera at 3 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Ramp Fund at Latham Methodist or to St. Jude’s.
