Eugene T. Sims, Jr.

Eugene T. Sims, Jr., 81, of Murphysboro, passed away at his residence in Murphysboro, Illinois, at 8:50 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 24, 2011, at the First Baptist Church in Murphysboro with Rev. Shaker Samuel officiating and burial at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Murphysboro. Pettett Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Eugene was born on February 6, 1930, in Murphysboro, Illinois to Eugene T. Sims, Sr. and Hannah Martha (Crowell) Sims. He served in the U.S. Navy. In 1956 to 1957, he taught Science and coached track at the Logan Junior High School. Then his family moved to Florida and from 1957 to 1969, he was an assistant Principal at Miami-Carol City Senior High, where he also taught Physical Education there and at Madison Junior High School and at Edgewood Junior High School. Then, they moved back to Murphysboro, where he served as Assistant Principal at the Elverado School District Elementary Junior High, and later at the Murphysboro High School. He then served as Principal at Orchard Hill, Lincoln, and Logan Schools, and retired in 1985. After retiring, Mr. Sims filled one year vacancies by serving as principal at the Murphysboro Christian Academy and one year at Cope (Center For Optional Education), also in Murphysboro. Mr. Sims was a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Murphysboro, where he served on many committees including Church Council and Board of Deacon. He taught Sunday School and was a very faithful member of the church choir He volunteered for ten years at the Murphysboro Boot Camp, where he tutored there at the Boot Camp as well as at the Shiloh Baptist Church. Gene was an avid fisherman and golfer. He and his wife enjoyed traveling together which included long walks on the beaches. He married Leah Bradley on December 20, 1951, in Murphysboro, and she survives. Other survivors include three children Michael Bradley Sims of Murphysboro, Kerry Lee (Patrick) Brockhagen of Columbus, IN, and Jeanne Marie Knope of St. Charles, MO; four grandchildren Evan Sims, Jessie Sims, Timothy SIms, and Laura Lee Knope; one great granddaughter Hannah Nichole Sims; 3 sisters Doris (Delbert) Cox of Lubbock, TX, Virginia Lee Sims and Rosemary Sims Neal, both of Orlando, FL; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Eugene T. Sims, Jr.

February 6, 1930 - February 19, 2011