Leola Kathleen Sims was born to the late Robert and Roxie (Stitt) Phifer on October 1, 1931 in Okolona, Arkansas. She was the youngest of eight children all preceded in death. Leola received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age. Sister Sims was a faithful and dedicated member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Quanah, Texas for over 69 years serving as a Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher and former President of the Women Missionary Ministry.

Leola attended primary school at Pine Ridge Elementary School in Okolona, AR and later attended secondary school in Quanah, TX where she earned her diploma from Douglas High School as Class Valedictorian in 1949. Upon graduation, Leola worked as a housekeeper throughout town until employed by Hardeman County Hospital in the Dietitian Department.

On May 30, 1949, Leola and Willie Lee Sims Sr. were united in Holy Matrimony and to this union of 69 years, ten children were born.

Sister Sims interests were watching day/night time soap operas and western movies. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading the Bible, the "Daily Bread" and the "Quanah Tribune Chief" newspaper. She loved attending church and fellow shipping with family and friends.

Leola at the age of 87 went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers, Simon, Lewis, Fred and Robert Phifer; three sisters, Evelyn Anderson, Katie Bean, and Mary Pearl Abraham; a daughter, Vickie Sims; a son, Tony Sims; two grandsons, Roderick Sims and Christopher Phifer; two great granddaughters, Angel Walton and London Tutson; and a son in law, Benny Rowe.

Sweet memories are to be cherished by eight children, Dorothy Smith, Glenda (Gregory) Jones, Elois Kline, Willie Lee (Lanetta) Sims Jr., Evelyn Sims-Rowe, Paula Davis, Paul Sims and LaFonda Walton; grandsons, Kevin (Chiara) Sims, Leland Wyrick Jones, Kenneth Sims, Keome Rowe, Andrick Walton, Rodrick Walton, Raylan Sims, Willie Lee Sims III, R. Austin Davis and Ryan Davis; granddaughters, Nickole (Derrick) Williams, Taneshia Sims-Rowe, LeShay Mack, Joselyn Sims, Bianca Jones, Katherine Kline, ShaPauldra Sims, Ebony (Jacobbi) McGilvery, and Aisha Sims; twenty four great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends.