Laura Sims Jordan

She was born Laura Elizabeth Sims on November 22, 1944, in Holly Ridge, LA. She was named after her paternal grandmother and was nicknamed “Bunny.” One of twelve siblings, she grew up near Delhi, LA, on a cotton farm where her family sharecropped. Laura was baptized at North Central Baptist Church, and she graduated from Central High School in 1963. She then took a job waitressing at a truck stop near Rayville, LA, where she would match nickels with drivers for the jukebox. There, she met her future husband, RB Jordan, a truck driver headed to the West Coast. Each time he passed through, RB courted Laura, and they borrowed the truck stop owner’s car for dates. RB told Laura that South Central Bell was hiring in Jackson, MS, and one day, Laura packed her suitcase and boarded a Greyhound bus bound for Jackson.

She married RB on June 27, 1964, and soon after started her 31-year career at the telephone company. She retired on May 31,1995. An avid reader since childhood, she then went to work with the Central Mississippi Regional Library System. She worked part time at the Pearl and Brandon Public Libraries for around ten years while also caring for RB until he passed away in 2004. She was a wonderful soulmate and partner to him and a devoted, loving mother to their son Jimmy.

Laura lived a simple life. She loved Jesus Christ with a passion, and He blessed her with a selfless spirit and a kind heart. She was generous, joyful, and loved helping others. For many years, Laura was a very active member of Truitt Memorial Baptist Church in Pearl. In spring 2022, as her health declined, she moved her letter to Park Place Baptist Church, so she could attend with her family.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband, RB Jordan; father, Orbie Sims; mother, Mady Sims; sisters Mary, Marjorie, Ouida, and Angel; and brothers Ralph Lee, Elmer, Roger Dale, Travis, and E.J.

She is survived by her son, Jimmy Jordan, and daughter-in-law, Kerri, of Brandon, MS; sister Dorothy Smith of Brookhaven, MS; brother Kent (Donna) Sims, of League City, TX; sister-in-law Nancy Mayes, of Forest, MS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

We–Jim and Kerri–were blessed to be able to care for Laura at home. We now celebrate her true homegoing with deep gratitude to so many who have supported the three of us along this path. For their prayers, visits, calls, and support, we thank our dear friends and family, especially Nikki, Rhonda, Kimberly, and Eddie; our Park Place Baptist Church family; and our Park Place Christian Academy family. We also thank our incredible Accent Care hospice team: Lauren, Jennifer, Bekah, and others–and especially Keshia, whose love and excellent care contributed immensely to Laura’s quality of life.

Laura’s service will be held in the Park Place Baptist Church sanctuary on Tuesday, October 29. Visitation begins at 10:00AM, and the service will follow at 12:00 noon. Burial will be at Floral Hills in Pearl. Her pallbearers are Bobby Barrett, Jason Bryant, Jason Cook, Tim Lawless, Tim Sarrett, and Stacey Sykes.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Park Place Baptist Church or to the Park Place Christian Academy library.