Earlene Sulin Simpson, 72, of Crisfield, passed away peacefully on Sunday,October 6, 2013 at McCready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield.

She was born August 16, 1941 in Baltimore to the late Mary and Earl Sulin.

She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Charles Hall Simpson; a son, Benjamin Mitchell Simpson IV and his wife Patricia Simpson; a daughter, Mary Simpson Dey and her husband Armistead Wheeler Dey, Jr.; four devoted grandchildren, Armistead Wheeler Dey, III, Charles Kensett Dey, Grace Carlin Simpson, and Benjamin Mitchell Simpson V.

Early, as she was known to family and friends, graduated from Eastern High School in Baltimore, MD and Washington College in Chestertown, MD, where she met her husband. An avid boater, Early embodied all things fun to do in the Chesapeake Bay and watershed. She taught her family how to fish, run a trot line, dock a boat in a high wind, pick crabs, and most of all, how to enjoy life to its fullest. She also had a softer side, and could do any kind of hand and needle work. She organized the women of Christ Church (in Palmyra, NJ) to create needlepoint kneelers for the altar and sewed all new vestments for the clergy. She ran her own embroidery business for over 20 years, successfully moving it from their home in New Jersey to their retirement home in Crisfield. Her biggest achievement, however, was in raising her children and being an incredible and loving grandmother.

A memorial service officiated by Rev. Laura Dorsey will be held Saturday, Oct.19, 2013 at 11 AM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. The family will receive friends immediately following at the Crisfield American Legion Post #16.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the McCready Foundation, 201 Hall Highway, Crisfield, MD 21817.

To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com