Frances Ray Simpson, of Sumter, formerly of Camden, died Thursday, July 14, at Covenant Place. Born in Montgomery, Ala., she was a daughter of the late Madison Butler Ray and the late Willie Belle Pylant Ray and wife of the late Carl Marks Simpson Jr. Mrs. Simpson was a graduate of Huntington College, a member of St. James Lutheran Church and a co-founder of Simpson Hardware. Surviving are two sons, Carl M. Simpson III and wife, Cathy, and Robert R. Simpson and wife, Vicki, of Sumter; two daughters, Anne Simpson of Atlanta and Jan King and her husband, George, of Mt. Pleasant; one sister, Dallas Hazelwood of Camden; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. conducted by the Revs. Ron Briggs and Elizabeth Platts. The family will receive friends at 113 Snowden St. Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 1137 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150 or to a charity of one`s choice. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory of Sumter is in charge.