Mother Verna Jean Sims was born February 12th, 1943, in Louann, Arkansas. She departed this life on July 6th, 2025, at Ouachita County Medical Center, Camden, Arkansas. She was the daughter of the late Bro. Vernon Stroud and Sis. Osie Mae Jones. She is the granddaughter of Minnie Minor. While growing up in the "country," she was known to be a very rambunctious person, and she could hang with the best of them. At an early age, she displayed boyish tendencies, climbing trees, and wrestling around with her brother James.

Eventually, she would be known for her outgoing spirit and love for her immediate family. She grew up under the love and compassion of her Grandmother Minnie Minor, who showed and taught her the value of family. Additionally, she was introduced to church at a tender age by joining and singing with James Hildreth at Ebenezer Baptist Church. She recalled a story where they broke into the church; she was his lookout, while James played the piano. Although the playing was loud, she continued to watch for adults.

She graduated from Smackover Training School with the likes of Timothy Ramey and RT Goodwin.

As she went on throughout her years as a teen and young lady. She began a life-changing journey that would usher her life into motherhood. She would eventually have her first child, "Anthony," with her soon-to-be husband, Jake Sims. After their union, another child was born, "Joel." After several years had passed, she developed a sickness which became her first fight with cancer. After much prayer and power, the same doctor who spoke against her having more children announced that she would have two miracle babies, "Mike," and "Jake, Jr."

She loved and served the Church of God In Christ throughout her life, whether in Louann, El Dorado, Camden, Willisville, or McNeil. Her love for the Lord Jesus Christ was passed on to her siblings and children. She recalled giving her life to Christ while attending Brown Temple Church of God in Christ in Camden, AR under the presiding Superintendent Brown.

She always talked about how much her sons are the love of her life. She recalled teaching them all about the fundamentals of life, to ensure as men, each one could take care of themselves in the absence of a woman.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Jake Sims; son, Anthony "Tubby" Sims; father, Vernon Stroud; mother, Osie M. Jones; grandmother, Minnie Minor; and brothers, James Hildreth, Bennie Jones, Joe "Baby" Jones and Gary "OS" Jones.

She leaves to mourn her life in the Lord Jesus Christ, and her loving sons, Dr. Joel Sims, Camden, AR. Michael Sims (Tokoya), Louann, AR., Jake Sims, Jr. (Eyvonne), Clarksville, TN, Gary Fuller, Dallas, Texas; brothers, Stanley Stroud of Cedar Rapids, IA and Charles Jones of Minneapolis, MN; sisters, Joyce Elliott and husband, Supt. John Elliott, of Camden, AR, Claudia Harmon of Dallas, TX, Geneva Scroggins of Oakland, CA, Gennette Hughes of Camden, AR, Minnie Jones of Camden AR, Nita McDonald and husband, Elder Melvin McDonald of Louann, AR; and Malinda Mullins and husband, Richard of Rosston, AR; daughter-in-law, Karen Sims of Harmony Grove, AR; grandchildren, Brian Sims, Ravin Sims, Bevaney Sims, Sharon Hess, Lajeana Sims, Jordan Sims, Kya McKinney, Jorian Hogan, Tykorian Brown, Tahj Sims, Cara Cornell and Isaaic Mitchell; nine great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and neighborhood children who considered her "Momma Verna".

A visitation will be held from 5:00PM to 7:00PM Friday at Proctor Funeral Home.  Funeral services for Mother Verna Jean will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Greater Love Church of God in Christ.  Burial will be in Ebenezer Cemetery in Louann, AR.