Dian Sims

Dian Contri Sims, 86, of Montgomery, Alabama, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 18, 2026. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 1, 1940, to Joseph F. Contri and Lillian Inez Davenport Contri.

Dian’s life was a beautiful testimony to her faith in Christ, her love for her family, and her deep compassion for others. She lived with a servant’s heart, always looking for ways to encourage, comfort, and help those around her. Loving others was not simply something Dian did—it was who she was.

After graduating from Woodlawn High School in 1958, Dian met her husband, Paul Sims Jr., in Huntsville, Alabama. They eventually made their home in Montgomery, where they shared a life filled with love, family, faith, and countless memories.

Dian worked for BellSouth Telephone Company for many years and retired in January 1997. Retirement, however, did not mean slowing down her service to others. Her greatest work was still ahead of her.

Dian dedicated her life to Christ and was a faithful member of Frazer Church for more than 50 years. Her relationship with the Lord was the foundation of everything she did. Her faith was evident not only in the words she spoke, but in the way she lived—with kindness, generosity, grace, and an extraordinary love for people.

Following the loss of her husband, Dian discovered an even deeper calling to minister to others who were walking through grief. She poured her heart into her Beauty by Fire and GriefShare groups, especially ministering to other widows. Having experienced loss herself, she understood the pain of grief, but she also knew the hope and comfort found in Christ. She used her own journey to remind others that they were never alone.

Dian also dedicated many years to Save a Life, which later became First Choice. Her heart for serving others extended far beyond her church and family. She believed that every life mattered and that we are called to love and care for one another.

Those who knew Dian will remember her tremendous compassion, her generous spirit, her unwavering faith, and her ability to make people feel loved. She never seemed to meet a stranger, and she was always ready with an encouraging word, a listening ear, or a helping hand. Her compassion for others truly was her purpose in life.

And, of course, Dian was a proud Alabama fan. She loved her Crimson Tide and enjoyed cheering them on—a passion she shared with those around her.

Dian was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul Sims Jr.; her parents, Joseph F. Contri and Lillian Inez Davenport Contri; and her son-in-law, William P. Barry.

She leaves behind a loving family who will carry her memory in their hearts: her brother, Larry J. Contri; her daughter, Paula Dian Sims Barry; and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Dian Sims and her fiancé, Daniel Carothers.

To her family, Dian was so much more than a mother, grandmother, sister, and wife. She was a source of strength, wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love. To the many people she ministered to, she was a friend who understood, a prayer warrior who cared, and a reminder of God’s love.

Dian spent her life pointing others toward Christ. She loved deeply, served faithfully, and gave generously of herself. Her greatest legacy is found in the countless lives she touched and the people who were better, stronger, and more hopeful because she was part of their lives.

Though her family and friends will feel the deep sorrow of her absence, they can also celebrate the beautiful life she lived and the eternal hope she held so firmly. Dian’s faith has now been rewarded and she is home with the Savior she loved and served for so many years.

Her life was a gift.

Her love was a blessing.

Her faith was her legacy.

And her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” — Psalm 116:15

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Choice Women's Medical Center: 380 Mendel Parkway E 36117, Montgomery, Alabama.