Ann J. Sims

Ann was born on July 9, 1947, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Gadsden, Alabama, to Annie Mae Nelson and Earl Daniel Jones.

A graduate of Gadsden High School, Class of 1965, Ann was a member of the National Honor Society and ranked among the top 10% of her graduating class. Following high school, she began her career as a switchboard operator with BellSouth, which later became AT&T. While working full-time, Ann put herself through college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973 and a Master of Business Administration in Finance in 1978, both from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. Through her dedication and determination, she eventually rose to become an executive with AT&T.

After retiring from AT&T following more than 25 years of service, Ann continued working for approximately eight years with Midsouth Industries before embracing full retirement.

Ann had a lifelong passion for Alabama Crimson Tide football. She tailgated at Alabama games for more than 49 years and was a proud member of the Tide Pride Scholarship Club since 1997. Her love for the beach took her often to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and she enjoyed countless fishing trips out of Orange Beach. She especially cherished time spent on the water at her home on Lake Neely Henry, where she enjoyed boating, jug fishing, and riding her Sea-Doo.

Ann was also an animal lover who adored the many dogs and cats that shared her life over the years. She enjoyed reading books for pleasure and began each morning with the newspaper, keeping up with current events.

Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband of more than 50 years, Bobby J. Sims; her mother, Annie Mae Jones; her aunt, Elizabeth Lawrence; and her grandmother, Mrs. L.D. “Mammy” Nelson.

She is survived by her son, Kevin Sims, and his wife, Patricia Ronald Sims, M.D., of Orange County, California; and her grandson, Alex Sims, of Rainbow City, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Serving Kids Hope or the National Humane Society.

The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to Juanita and Hardy McCollum, Cindy and Bob Stringer, Kristy and Marvin Fowler, Rhonda McCabe, and the staff and nurses of Bridgewood Gardens of Albertville, Alabama. A special thank you is extended to Erin Spears and Sharion Walls for their care, kindness, and support.

Ann kept a special quote near and dear to her heart, and her family feels it is especially appropriate to share at this time:

“If you want to get to heaven and walk the streets of gold, you have to know the password is… ROLL TIDE ROLL.”

ROLL TIDE, ANN.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Collier-Butler Funeral Home, Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, Alabama.