May Sims : Obituary

Our beloved May Sims went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 29, 2011.Born May 1, 1927 in Fort Pierce, Florida, May leaves a legacy of kindness and compassion for all who were blessed to know her. Most remember May for her work as a registered nurse at the Children’s Clinic where she mothered the mothers as she assisted them in the care of their new born babies always with a kind and encouraging word.

A “Florida Cracker” May graduated from Fort Pierce High School in 1945 where she was a member of the marching band and served as a hostess for the USO during World War II. She continued to serve her country as she was in the last class of nursing cadets receiving her nursing degree in 1948 in Macon, Georgia. Returning to her hometown she met the love of her life, Lonnie C. Sims, whom she married in 1949. Lonnie and May were married 53 years ending with his passing in July of 2002.

May and Lonnie moved to Fort Myers, Fla. in 1955. May’s first job was as a nurse at Jones Walker Hospital in the Dunbar area. Even though this was a segregated hospital servicing only the Afro American community this strikingly beautiful blonde and blue eyed Caucasian nurse ministered to those in need. Her kindnesses and love of her fellowman continued thereafter for 25years at the Children’s Clinic.

A woman of great but quiet faith, May came to know the Lord Jesus as a child at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Fort Pierce, Florida. After moving to Fort Myers she was a founding member of St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church. Later in life after moving to Blue Ridge, Georgia, May was active in the United Methodist Women at Epworth United Methodist Church.

May is survived by her brother, George Terry (Norma) Fort Pierce, Fla; brother-in law and sister in law, Wiley and Susie Sims of Marietta, Georgia; nephew, Robert Terry, Jr., Fort Pierce, Fla. and her life friend Carolyn Jones of Fort Pierce, Fla. Her surviving children are: L. David Sims (Karen), Ft. Myers, Fla., Richard W. Sims (Ann) of Epworth, Ga., Jeffery A. Sims (Alison Brown), Ft. Myers, Fla., and Amy Diehl (Karl) Smyrna, Ga. Surviving grandchildren are: Joshua Sims (Sally), Jessica Rairick (David), Jonas Sims, Tyler Sims, Noah Sims, Hanna Sims, Samuel Sims and Elle Diehl. Surviving great-grandchildren are: Jackson Sims, Jaden Sims, Cole Rairick and Bryce Rairick.

The family wishes to thank May’s care givers: Vernell Green, Jamie Haymore, Mary Eaton, and Barbara Swanson and the wonderful staff of United Hospice of Blue Ridge, Georgia. As these wonderful individuals ministered to May, she continued to encourage and love them as well.

The family will receive friends at Finch Cochran Funeral Home, 1478 Blue Ridge Dr. McCaysville, Ga. Friday June 3, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Memorial services will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, Madola Road, Epworth, Ga., Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 11:00 AM. with graveside service and reception to follow.

The family requests that donations be made in memory of May to Epworth United Methodist Church of Epworth, Georgia, 585 Madola Rd, Epworth, Ga. or to United Hospice of Blue Ridge, Georgia, 5004 Appalachian Hwy. Suite 3A, Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513