Elizabeth Ann Sims

                Elizabeth Russell Sims “Liz”, 91, of Mesquite, TX passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on June 9, 2021.  Liz, daughter of Mattie and Byron Russell was born on December 10, 1929, in Dallas, TX. 

                While attending Harding College Liz met the love of her life, Jwill H. Sims, and they began their 64 yearlong marriage on September 2, 1950.  Liz was blessed to live a long, fulfilling life where she exuded a passion for God, family, and teaching others.  Liz and Jwill have been active members of Mesquite Church of Christ since 1980.  Here she supported her husband as he served many years as an elder and was also able to touch the lives of many and share her love of Christ. 

Liz and Jwill started their married life together in Minden, LA while Jwill served in the United States Air Force in Korea.  From Minden they moved to Texarkana, TX where they raised their three children, who brought her an insurmountable amount of joy, and where she achieved two of her most coveted accomplishments which were the completion of both her B.S. in Education and M.S. in English from East Texas State University.  This opened the gateway for Liz to broaden her impact on the world, first teaching men in the prison and later elementary students in Mesquite.  She loved telling stories of the days she was able to be a part of making a positive impact on her students in the prison and the classroom.

                Once Liz retired from teaching she began living a life most would only dream of.  She had the opportunity to travel the world with Jwill and devoted most of her time to “makin’ memories.”  She instilled a desire in the hearts of her family to keep God and Family first and will be missed dearly by all those who were fortunate to have known her. 

                Liz is survived by her son Jwill Henley Sims Jr. and wife Becky of Stonewall, LA, daughter Shannon Sue Messick and husband Scott of Mesquite, TX, son Russell Robert Sims and wife Callie of Rockwall, TX, and niece Lisa Russell Beaird and husband Dr. David Beaird of Tyler, TX, 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren who she adored, and a host of family and friends.    

                Liz is preceded in death by her husband, Jwill H. Sims, parents, Mattie and Byron Russell, brother and family Dr. and Mrs. Richard Russell, Gina, Brian, and Christopher, and grandson Cody Sims. 

                A visitation service for Elizabeth will be held at Mesquite Church of Christ, 400 W Davis St. Mesquite, TX 75149, on Saturday June 12, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. followed by a funeral service at 3:00 P.M coordinated by New Hope Funeral Home of Sunnyvale, TX.