Mary Etta Sims

Mary Etta Halbert Sims, 88, of Wylie, Texas died June 12, 2021. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Meadows Baptist Church in Plano. Interment will follow in Fitzhugh Cemetery in Fairview. Family visitation is June 18, 2021 6:00 - 8:00 at Ted Dickey’s Funeral in Plano.

Mary was born to Edna Elizabeth Smith and Basil Thompson Halbert in Fort Worth, on June 27, 1932. She lived her youth as a preacher’s kid. Her parents and siblings George, Bill and Tommie lived in Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.

Despite her many moves, Mary graduated from high school when she was fifteen years old. (She was super smart.) After a gap year, Mary began college at Mary Hardin Baylor. She completed her college education at Baylor University. (Surprisingly, Mary participated in a protest when officials tried to combine Mary Hardin Baylor and Baylor University.) Mary taught over thirty years. Her knowledge was vast; she taught every subject and every age level.

She met Henry Burl Sims on a blind date and after a two month courtship and a four month engagement they married on December 26, 1953. Mary was a wonderful wife and a blessing to those Henry pastored. When Mary saw a need, she met the need with her many talents: singing, organizing, directing, cooking, and teaching.

Her children and their spouses, Donella and Don Ware, Basil (recently deceased) and Cheryl Sims, and Lydia and Alan Goodroe will miss gingerbread house decorating parties, songfests around the piano, her cheers at grandchildren events, gatherings by the fireplace, homemade cinnamon rolls and desserts every Sunday, and holiday get togethers. Mary would want you to know that her grandchildren are the smartest and most talented grandchildren in the world. They are Drew Sims, Jordan Sims, Savannah Ware, Sloan Ware, Anna Claire Goodroe and David Goodroe.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Ranch, a program dedicated to empowering adults with special needs to abundantly live the life for which they were created. Mary’s grandson David is a part of the Cornerstone community. The positive impact this program has on David was important to Mary.

Cornerstone-ranch.com

469-424-1887

3933 County Road 317

McKinney Texas 75069