Barbara Lou Sims

Barbara Lou Sims, 95, of Altamonte Springs, passed away peacefully on the morning of September 9th. Barbara (Barbie or Barb to her friends and family) was born March 24, 1930 to Parker Leroy and Bertie Emma Oiler Griffie on a farm near Newville PA. She was one of eight siblings and was loved by all. She graduated from Big Spring HS and then pursued an Associate’s Business Degree from Shippensburg College.

In 1951 she moved to Florida, spending some time in Orlando and Miami before settling in Winter Park. In 1955, her son Stephen Michael Cassatt was born. That same year she started her own bookkeeping and accounting service out of her house. Her daughter Amy Joanne was born in 1961. For a period of about 4 years she was a single mom with a growing business and career – almost unheard of during those times. This, coupled with her farm upbringing, helped mold her into a hard-working, very independent and resourceful woman.

In 1967, she married the love of her life, James R. Sims (Jim). They had a life full of travel, adventures and good times with family and friends until his death in 2002.

Barbara sold her accounting practice in 1995 to a friend and colleague. The practice is still ongoing and provides accounting services to many in the central Florida community.

Barbara was a charter member of Winter Park Presbyterian Church; her faith remained strong until her last breath. She was comforted in knowing that she would be healed by a loving Father and reunited with her family that had passed before her.

If you ask anyone who knew Barbara what her greatest joy was, they would say her granddaughter, Emily. The two of them shared an incredible bond – they were travel buddies and roomies, confidantes, and each other’s biggest supporter. Her proudest moments were seeing Emily graduate from her undergraduate studies at Berry College, and to be present when she received her White Coat at the University of Georgia - College of Veterinary Medicine.

Barbara was predeceased by her son Steve (1985) and her husband Jim (2002). She is survived by her daughter Amy, son-in-law Robert, granddaughter Emily and future grandson-in-law Leighton O’Dell. She is also survived by Jim’s two sons Michael and David. Additionally, Barbara has many nieces and nephews (and their descendants) many of whom had long and loving relationships with their “favorite” Aunt Barb. Barbara also leaves behind several very good friends at Kensington Park Condos.

Barbara requested no service or memorial. Her only wish was for her ashes to be spread at her “happy place” – New Smyrna Beach.

Barbara was always Emily’s number one supporter in her pursuit of a career in Veterinary Medicine. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to celebrate Barbara’s legacy by supporting the University of Georgia - College of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Treatment Center Fund. This fund supports the treatment of wounded wildlife in hopes that they can be rehabilitated and returned to the wild. Online donations can be made here: https://gail.uga.edu/giving/cvm/barbara-sims . If you would prefer to mail a check, please make it payable to the UGA Foundation and in the memo line note "In memory of Barbara Sims." Checks should be mailed to UGA Foundation, 1 Press Place, Suite 101, Athens, GA 30601.