Virginia Simpson
Virginia Y. Simpson (born c. 1921; died August 30, 1977 in Birmingham) was the wife of Joe Simpson, and an active supporter of the arts in Birmingham.
She was heavily involved with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Birmingham Museum of Art and was one of the founders of the Birmingham Ballet. She invited Boston Ballet choreographer Alfonso Figueroa to lead a summer seminar, and later invited him to direct the company.
Simpson was found shot to death in her home, the former Theodore Swann residence on Redmont Road, in 1977. She suffered three .38 caliber gunshot wounds. Her son, James II, was initially charged with the murder, but the charges were later dropped. The style of the murder caused some to conclude that it was carried out by a professional killer.
References
- Haden, Courtney (May 4, 2012) "The dances of life and death" Weld for Birmingham