Betty Due Davis Simpson
Betty Due Davis Simpson, 93, of Fort Myers Beach, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on February 13, 1932, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Betty was the cherished daughter of the late Ova T. and Lorrine Due. Betty lost her mom, Lorrine, when she was only 18 years old. A few years later, her dad, Ova, remarried a wonderful woman Yvonne C. Due, who became a second mom and cherished grandmother to Betty’s children. A trailblazer in every sense, Betty lived a life marked by a strong faith and trust in God, community service, adventurous spirit, and an unwavering dedication to her family, her town, and her many passions.
She is survived by her children: Jeff Davis and wife Janet of Bonita Springs, FL; Jim Davis and wife Kim of Fort Myers Beach, FL; and Julie Hull and husband Scott of Vero Beach, FL. She was a proud grandmother to Alicia Melton and husband Michael, Dalton Hull and fiancée Kelsi, and Eli Davis. She was blessed to also become great-grandmother to Zo’ Melton. She also leaves behind nieces Terri Walrod and husband Jim, and Gini Smith and partner Carlo Rao.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert “Bob” C. Davis, Jr., her second husband Karl T. Simpson, grandsons Jimmy Davis and Tommy Davis, and nephew Steve Smith.
Betty earned a bachelor’s degree in Radio Speech from the University of South Dakota, but her professional life soared far beyond the airwaves. She founded and operated Betty Davis Real Estate. Her leadership and service on the Board of Realtors earned her the prestigious Board of Realtors Lifetime Achievement Award. She also achieved leadership roles in local, state, and national Boards of Realtors and associated organizations.
Never one to shy away from the skies, Betty held a pilot’s license and was a certified flight instructor with commercial, multi-engine, and instrument ratings. In the early 60s, Betty was the only female pilot working out of Ellsworth Air Force Base instructing Air Force pilots the nuances of flying smaller, single engine aircrafts. She was a competitor in the Angel Derbies flying cross-country races, and through Mercy Flights, she transported critically ill patients to hospitals in the Midwest. When she relocated to Florida, she flew reconnaissance missions over the Gulf of Mexico to aid in the search for stranded boaters.
A devoted civic leader, Betty was a founding member of the Town of Fort Myers Beach’s incorporation committee more than 30 years ago. She played a pivotal role in the town’s historic vote for incorporation and remained actively involved in its early organization. Her commitment to the community continued through her decades-long service on numerous local boards. She was a founding and 34-year member of the Bay Oaks Recreational Center Advisory Board (BORCAB), where she also served as Chairman. As recently as May, Betty was still serving on the town’s Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board (CELCAB). She served on the Fort Myers Beach Library Board and chaired the Friends of the Fort Myers Beach Library. Betty was a former Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Commissioner, past President of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, Board member of both the Friends of the Matanzas Pass Preserve and Estero Island Historic Society, and Docent and Board member of the Friends of the Mound House.
Betty was one of the original “Cupcake Ladies” of Times Square. On January 1, 1996, the first day of the town’s incorporation, she helped begin what would become a beloved tradition ä handing out cupcakes to celebrate the city’s birthday, a tradition that endured for decades.
Betty Simpson’s life was a vibrant tapestry of courage, community, and kindness. Her spirit will continue to inspire all who knew her, and her contributions to Fort Myers Beach will not be forgotten. Her faith and trust in God allowed her to face life’s challenges with grace and was an inspiration to her family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Trail South, Bonita Springs. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:30 PM on Friday, September 12, 2025, at St. Leo Catholic Church, 28290 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs. A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 4:00 PM at St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church Hall, 5601 Williams Drive, Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to The Fort Myers Beach Public Library, The Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve or The Historic Society of Fort Myers Beach.
To sign her guest register or to leave online condolences, please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.