Mary Brumfield Sims

A loving wife, devoted mother and friend to all who knew her, Mary Brumfield Sims passed away Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at Heritage House Nursing Home at the age of 74. A native of St. Helena Parish, she graduated from Greensburg High School in 1950, and from Our Lady of Lake School of Nursing in 1953. She was a tribute to her profession and her long career included serving at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, offices of Dr. William Luikhart and Dr. C.B. Luikhart and Stanocola Medical Center. Throughout her life, she was a caring and ready presence for her family and friends when they were ill. Mary was a longtime active member of Istrouma Baptist Church and WMU and served as a Sunday school teacher. She was an avid reader and loved to read and write poetry. She derived great joy from relationships with her extended family and friends. She is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, Vernon M. Sims Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Aleta and John Kiefer, of Covington; daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Don Pourciau, of Pride; daughter, Sharon Selser, of Denham Springs; son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Michelle Sims, of Port Allen; sister, Rita Clayton, of Bogalusa; sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Charles Bennett, of Baton Rouge; brother and sister-in-law, Bobby and Kathy Brumfield, of Denham Springs; brother, Frank Brumfield, of Denham Springs; sister, Hilda Ross, of Cut Off; sister, Patsy Brumfield and Randall Babin, of Baton Rouge; sisters-in-law, Janel Brumfield, of Baton Rouge, Annette Brumfield, of Franklinton, and Katie Milton, of Tangipahoa; and grandchildren, Blaire and Jared Pourciau, Josh, Nicole and Zach Selser, and Bryan, Logan and Savannah Sims. Mary is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly and other dear relatives and friends. Mary was preceded in death by an infant son; her parents, Martin A. and Gracie Blades Brumfield; a sister, Sylvia; two brothers, William "Bill" A. and Victor Leroy "Vic" Brumfield. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., was on Monday, Aug. 20, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation at Istrouma Baptist Church on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Ron Lambe, associate pastor of Istrouma Baptist Church. Graveside service in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Pallbearers will be Joey Brumfield, Stephen Brumfield, John Clayton, Jeff Gros, Don Pourciau, Garrick St. Romain and Jeffrey "JJ" Wale. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's name are suggested to the Alzheimer's Services of the Capitol Area, 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806 or From the Heart Ministries, 136 Veronica Drive, Picayune, MS 39466. The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage House Nursing Home and Life Source Hospice for their kind support.