Hollie Beth Simpson

CUYAHOGA FALLS - Hollie Beth Simpson, beautiful daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, died December 30, 2025, after a five-year battle with cancer.

Hollie is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Simpson. She is survived by her mother, Deanna Simpson; brother, Dan Simpson (Liz), and her nephew and nieces, Isaac 21, Bel 19, Addi 18, and Evie 16.

Hollie, famously known as “Aunt Hottie” by her favorite nieces and nephew, was born in Paulding, Ohio, on December 24, 1978 - the perfect Christmas present to her big brother, Danny. After growing up in Paulding and completing high school, she went on to obtain her undergraduate in Dietetics at Bowling Green University in Ohio.

Upon graduating college, Hollie’s adventurous spirit led her to London for a six-month internship to spread her wings and live “on the other side of the pond.” She returned home bursting with stories, a new-found confidence, and a subtle English accent. Her vibrant curiosity and love of reading propelled her into more adventures, from working in Tennessee at a dude ranch as a ranch hand for a summer, “Best food ever!” she said, to later training and serving as a volunteer EMT with the Hudson Fire Department.

A long-time resident of Cuyahoga Falls, Hollie spent the last 18 years working for Kent State University, finishing her professional career as an Associate Director of Accreditation. She pursued further education at Kent and received her MA in Public Administration in 2019. Hollie was always up for road trips with friends, difficult physical feats with her CrossFit work-out family, and was most definitely the woman who had to own, enjoy, and eventually sell a motorcycle.

Those who knew her well can speak of her tremendous, tender love for God. His love filled her and easily flowed out of her to everyone she met. This love led her to serve on mission trips to Haiti and Alaska, and to volunteer at Pegusus Farm Equestrian Center for individuals with disabilities, where she made some precious friendships. Hollie shared her strong love and faith in Jesus by also serving in children’s church ministries at Grace Church Bath Campus and First Assembly of God Church in Cuyahoga Falls.

Hollie enjoyed her vibrant church family at Firelands Church, where she loved to worship Jesus and grow and serve with her church family there. Hollie would tell anyone that her most joyous adventure was living as a child of God, loving Jesus as her savior and Lord, because He first loved her. She was a woman of deep faith who found great joy and purpose in being God’s precious daughter and she wanted everyone to know that they could have a personal relationship with a heavenly Father who loves them, too!

Friends may call 4 - 7 PM, Monday, January 5, 2026, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, 44224. Pastor Matt Powers will conduct the funeral service, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 4 PM, at Firelands Church, 2254 Triplett Boulevard, Akron 44312. 

There will be an additional viewing on Saturday, January 10, 2026, 12 - 2 PM, in Paulding, Ohio, at DenHerder Funeral Home, 1000 West Wayne Street, Paulding, Ohio 45879, followed by a graveside burial service at Rochester Cemetery, 12075 County Road 424, Cecil, Ohio 45821.

In Hollie’s honor, should friends desire, memorials may be made to Refuge Host Homes, P.O. Box 67322, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221, a local organization with a mission to serve vulnerable pregnant women and their children in the Greater Akron, Ohio area by providing a safe-haven through housing ~ refugehosthomes.org