Marvin Roland Simpson Sr., 71, affectionately known as “Buddy,” passed away April 13, 2016, in Marietta, Ga., after a long respiratory illness. Born April 4, 1945, in Suffolk, he was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin Gritman Simpson and Anne Lee Lassister.

Marvin lived most of his life in the Atlanta, Ga., area with his wife, Diann, where they raised their two sons. His occupation began and remained until retirement as a utility line clearance specialist supervising tree trimming for power companies in six states for N.G. Gilbert (now Townsend Tree) and Asplundh Tree.

Marvin is survived by his devoted wife, Diann Turner Simpson. “Pops” will be lovingly missed by two sons, Marvin R. Simpson Jr. and his wife, Amy Kendall Simpson, of Grafton, Mass., and David Turner Simpson and his wife, Lisa Lipham Simpson, of Marietta, Ga.; four grandchildren, Broderick “Brody” Kendall Simpson and Ella Turner Simpson, of Grafton, Mass., and Malakai Turner Simpson and Maverick Troy Simpson, of Marietta, Ga., cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and two great-great-nieces who will join the family later this year.

Graveside services will be held at the family plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk, on Sunday, July 17, at 1:30 p.m. officiated by the Rev. Cody Brinkley of Reynoldson Baptist Church, Gates, N.C. Professional services have been entrusted to Parr Funeral Home, Suffolk.