Mary Johnette Simpkins

Johnette Tetlow Simpkins passed away peacefully at home in Houston on Saturday, January 21, 2023.  She was born December 14, 1942 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Mary B. Tetlow and John Tetlow.

She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1960 and from LSU in 1964 where she was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority.  After college she moved to Houston and began a 12-year career teaching the third grade at two H.I.S.D. elementary schools.  She loved her students and most of their parents.

In 1967 she married Doug Simpkins and they were happily married for 55 wonderful years.  Together they loved traveling everywhere but especially to England, France and Italy.  They made over 30 trips to these countries and always made a point of staying at least a week in their favorite city each year – Venice, Italy.

Johnette and Doug owned a home in Aspen, Colorado for 31 years and spent considerable time there in the winter and summer.  In Aspen they had a large number of close friends from everywhere and they enjoyed parties, dinners, hiking and skiing with these close friends.

Johnette enjoyed playing golf in Aspen at the Maroon Creek Club and in Houston at River Oaks Country Club.  Every night they went out to dinner as cooking was not allowed at their homes.  Johnette and Doug really loved collecting antiques.  They attended antique shows regularly and purchased many antiques on their travels.

Johnette was a sweet, kind and gentle person and treated everyone with the utmost respect and dignity.  She is survived by her husband Doug, her sister Suzanne Broussard, and brothers Scott Tetlow and David Tetlow, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The graveside funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, January 27, 2023 at the Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas.