A program marking the legacy and retirement of Bishop Dr. Leo M. Simpson, former Administrator or Principal of the Haywood Mission Institute in Old Road, took place on April 14, 2026 at the Paynesville City Hall, with dignitaries and students in attendance.
Bishop Simpson assumed the principalship on January 25, 1978, nearly five decades impacting knowledge, wisdom, and discipline, breaking generational poverty for future leaders for tomorrow’s leadership.
“A Legacy Remembered: 1978—2026”, a historical reflection statement, was read by First Lady and Directress for Christian Education and Early Childhood Development, Dr. Myra E. Simpson, recounting the success story of Bishop Simpson.
Also, statements of appreciation and congratulations were read by representatives of parents, students, teachers, administrative and support staffs as well as contractors for the level of good leadership provided over the years.
The legacy remembered statement read by Dr. Myra Simpson named ten outstanding institutions and individuals that supported the vision, which included, but not limited to, ELWA for hosting the Simpsons for six months upon their arrival in Liberia in 1978, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the J.J. Roberts Foundation, former President Samuel K. Doe and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, among others.
The program was attended by eminent individuals, including Mohammed Bah, former Vice Principal of Haywood School; Robert Bestman, City Mayor of Paynesville City; Richardson A.S. Kromah, and Rev. J. Luther Tarpah, Chairman of Unity Party and President of Best Brain University.
Other dignitaries included Beyan Kota, President of the Christian Association of the Blind (CAB); journalist Aaron Kollie, Power Radio/TV; Thoedoe Momo, Bishop Stephen T. Y. Benda of the Sinkor United Pentecostal Church, and Charles Snetter, Ambassador-at-Large.
The proxy of President Joseph N. Boakai, Charles Snetter, congratulated Bishop Simpson and thanked him for his commitment, passion, discipline, and love for education, especially training boys and girls for future leadership. He added that the great statesman will not be forgotten due to the sacrifices he made over the years to train the Liberian child.
Also making statement, the Mayor of Paynesville City, Robert Bestman, proposed the establishment of Bishop Dr. Leo Simpson Educational Foundation to cater to the needy and less fortune children of school-going age in the country.
The statement was buttressed by Richardson Kromah, a one-time Vice Principal of the Haywood Mission Institute, and supported by all former graduates of the school, noting that it is a step in the right direction.
Monique Simpson-Foray, in her legacy and retirement message to her parents, said the number of years that her amazing parents served the institution, 48 years, with God’s adventure from 1978—2026 did payoff. “I am not here to fill their shoes but to stand on the foundation they laid to continue the legacy to the next generation,” she noted.
Foray, the HMI Administrator and Principal, is a graduate of Demission University in the United States of America, and is married to Lamin Foray with three children: Lamin Jr., Moshe and Myesa.
The “Legacy Remembered: 1978—2026 Clergy Appreciation Statement and Prayer” was read and conducted by Bishop Dr. Stephen T.Y. Benda, Senior Pastor, Sinkor United Pentecostal Church.
Bishop Benda prayed that the good Lord keeps and strengthens the honoree for commitment and service to mankind for close to five decades.
He described Bishop Simpson as a kind-hearted person and the one who cares for his fellowman, reflecting on the fire situation that destroyed portion of the church’s school building. He said it took people of goodwill, such as Bishop Simpson, to identify with the SUPC family.
“The name Bishop Dr. Leo M. Simpson will forever be remembered educationally and spiritually throughout Liberia and beyond,” he added.
Bishop Simpson was born on December 15, 1949 in Borkeza, and grew up in Fissibu, Lofa County. He has been passionate about education all his life, which can be seen by the life he lived up to his retirement as former Administrator/Principal of the Haywood Mission Institute.
