Irene Jackson Sims, 87, of Marianna passed away Saturday, June 11, 2016 following a long illness.
Mrs. Sims is preceded in death by her husband, Lester A. Sims, brothers, Durward Jackson (Jeffie), Murray Jackson ( Pearl), Aubry Jackson (Mary Ella), Curtis Jackson (Jewel), Lebert Jackson (Betty), John Jackson. and a sister, Elma Sims (Bill).
Irene is survived by her three sons, Mike Sims and wife, Sally; Danny Sims and wife, Pam and Alec Sims and wife, Keri all of Marianna, 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Irene was born on September 17, 1928, in Grand Ridge, FL to Robert and Lilla Priscilla Neel Jackson. After her mother passed away when Irene was a young child, she was raised in the Paront community by her Aunt Annie Neel Nobles, her mother's sister. When her father remarried, she was cared for by her loving stepmother, Leotean Tipton Jackson. She graduated from Greenwood High School in 1946, and married the love of her life, Lester, on March 20, 1949.
Together, Irene and Lester, ran Sims Store in the Elsie DeMond Heights area for many years before moving to a farm in the Sink Creek area where they reared their family of active boys. Irene worked in many locations throughout Marianna including, Production Credit Association, Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Jackson County Clerk of Court.
Irene was a dedicated homemaker and was known by her family to be a wonderful cook. She prepared many delicious batches of fried chicken, sausage biscuits, and of course, satisfying humburgers for a Saturday lunch that everyone looked forward to and enjoyed. She spent many summer evenings working with her husband to preserve, by canning and freezing, the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables produced on the farm. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served faithfully in many capacities over the years.
Graveside funeral services at 10 am Tuesday, June14, 2016, at Sink Creek Cemetery with Bishop Mark Sims officiating. Interment will be at Sink Creek Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.
The family will receive friends at the home of Mike Sims, 1222 Hwy 71 in Marianna.
Expressions of sympathy may be made online at James & Sikes Funeral Homes • Maddox Chapel
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