Michael Lee Sims || Obituary

Mike Sims, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend went home to be in the presence of Jesus on March 22, 2024, in Powderly. Mike was 76 years old.

Mike was born to Vernon Lee and Christene Sims in Clarksville. Shortly after, the family moved to Paris where the town became his home. One of his favorite childhood memories was riding around in Papa Ollie’s truck and helping around the farm. He attended Paris schools and graduated from Paris High School in 1965. In his teen years, he worked for his dad at Main Tire and developed a work ethic second to none. Following high school, he attended Paris Junior College and later graduated from the University of Houston as a pharmacist in 1971. Mike worked for several pharmacies for over 45 years in town before he retired in 2015. He was the pharmacist who loved his consultations and went the extra mile for all of his customers.

Mike married Annie Lois Tucker in 1969, building a life that spanned 45 years. They had two children, Matthew Lee and Annie Laurie. After the passing of Annie Lois, Mike married Jocasta (Harbuck) on Feb. 6, 2016. He gained two bonus daughters, Alecia Harbuck-Brandon and Angela Temple. Mike was fondly known to his grandchildren as “Papa Mike”.

Mike’s passion for sharing the Gospel and for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was the driving factor in his life. He was one of a few guys who founded a Bible study called “222” for men at East Paris Baptist Church and guests from other churches. They have met every Friday morning since 1991. The Promise Keeper’s events changed his life for the better. Mike was a servant through and through where he could be found volunteering for events that included: youth camps, Sunday School teacher, mission trips, church deacon, church committee member, pantry worker, and Aspire worker. He also went to Honduras three separate times with BMDMI to work as a pharmacist providing medications to those in need. Mike helped start the Paris Soccer Association and helped build the first set of fields behind PJC. Mike earned his Eagle Scout title in 1962 and later led Boy Scout troops for several years.

After retiring, Mike and Jocasta liked to travel, and some of their favorite activities were seeing national parks, going on cruises, photographing God’s beautiful creation, and going on mission trips. Mike loved to work in his yard, tend his cows, plant flowers, and sit in his recliner with his dog Rudy on his lap. He also loved watching any activities where their grandchildren were present. He could be found daily reading and studying his Bible.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife Annie Lois Sims, parents Vernon and Christene Sims, Papa Ollie Sims, and granddaughter Bailee Sims. He is survived by his wife Jocasta Sims, children Matthew (Christena) Sims, Annie Laurie (Josh) Geer, Alecia (Chris) Brandon, Angela (Drew) Temple, sister Marcia (Thomas) Woods, nephews Jeremy (Shayla) Armstrong and Joshua Armstrong and their children, grandchildren Hailey Hill, Adrianna Ware, Liam Sims, Angelina Harbuck, Daylan Whitley, brother in law James (Vickie) Jackson and mother in law Colette Jackson

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the Long Cemetery, Powderly. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Hidden Willow Venue on Hwy 196 at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The family will have a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024 at the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Youth Department at East Paris Baptist Church or a favorite charity.

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