Sarah Eleanor Sims

Sarah Eleanor Gilliland Sims, age 104, went to heaven on May 20, 2023. The joys of her life were her faith and her family. Born in her parents’ home in Forest Park, GA on October 29, 1918, Sarah graduated from Russell High School in East Point at the age of 16. She attended Georgia Junior College (now Georgia State University) and Cox College in College Park before graduating from Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing (now Mercer University) in 1939 and becoming a registered nurse. She was recognized in 2019 as the oldest living alumna of her nursing school. She met her future husband, Clarence Paul Sims, Sr, on a blind date, and after a courtship that included many visits to The Varsity (still her favorite restaurant at her death), they were married on April 8, 1942 at First Baptist Church of College Park. After Paul enlisted in the Army for World War II, she was able to move with him on postings to Mobile, AL and New Orleans, LA before he went overseas to England. When the war ended, Sarah and Paul lived with her parents in College Park. In 1947, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Marilyn Sarah Sims. In 1951, their family was completed with the birth of their son, Clarence Paul Sims, Jr. Sarah and Paul continued to live in College Park while he worked for College Park Milling Co (owned by her father) and later Stephenson Hardware Co. After he started Paul Sims Hardware Co in 1965 on Roosevelt Highway in Red Oak, they built Sarah’s “dream home” and moved there in 1966. She worked as a private duty nurse into the 1970s, when she retired from nursing and started working alongside Paul at the hardware store until they closed the business and retired in 1994. After his death in 2005, Sarah continued to live independently in her home until 2016. She became a Christian at an early age and was a long-time, active member of First Baptist Church of College Park. She and Paul later joined First Baptist Church of Fairburn, where she taught Sunday School to senior ladies for many years. She was a tireless prayer warrior, and her faith that God was in control allowed her to live her life optimistically, without regrets and without worry. Gratitude characterized her daily living, and having every member of the family gathered around her table on Thanksgiving Day was her highlight of each year. The way she lived out her amazing faith was an inspiration to her family and to countless others. Doing kind things for other people was never “out of her way” – it was truly “on her way.” She lived the last years of her earthly life at Atherton Place in Marietta, where her constant, radiant smile and twinkling blue eyes made her beloved by the staff and other residents as well. Sarah is survived by her daughter Marilyn Sims Gray and son Paul Sims, Jr (Sharon); grandchildren Jeff Gray (Jenn), Pam Gray Johnston (Bryan), Greg Sims (Gina), and Laura Sims Medlin; 14 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. Sarah’s wishes were that donations be made to Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, P. O. Box 329, Palmetto, GA 30268, in lieu of flowers. The family would like to thank the many caregivers and staff who gave her such loving care at Atherton Place in Marietta. Visitation with the family will be from 12:30-2:00pm on June 2, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Fairburn, with a celebration of Sarah’s life following at 2:00pm. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens following the service.

Sarah Eleanor Sims

October 29, 1918 - May 20, 2023