James Sims

James Ward Sims, died Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

He was born in Gadsden, Alabama on April 20, 1934, to James O. and Sarah Campbell Sims of Tuscaloosa and Ft. Payne, Alabama.

Jim was a graduate of Tuscaloosa High School, served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division, received a B.S. degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he became a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and also earned a PhD from Tulane University in New Orleans. He joined Tennessee Eastman Company in the Organic Chemicals Division in June of 1963 and worked in Laboratory, Production and Environmental Departments of Organic Chemicals during his career, retiring in August of 1993.

He was a member and past officer in 82nd Airborne Veterans Association, Tri-Cities Computer Club, Kingsport/Eastman Chess Club, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, American Chemical Society, and was a member of Mountain View United Methodist Church.

His first wife, Mary Ellen Loftis, of Brevard, North Carolina and Kingsport preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Taylor Sims of Kingsport, TN; one daughter, Martha Ellen Sims of Johnson City; one son and daughter-in-law, James O. and Jan Sims of Kennesaw, GA; a granddaughter, Caroline Lee Sims; one sister, Sarah Sims Housley of Lynchburg, VA; a stepdaughter, Elizabeth Cox, Gate City, VA; a stepson, Lynn Hensley, Gate City, VA; four step-grandchildren; nephews, Jon and Blair Housley; cousins, Lucinda and Dickie Chamblee of Summerville, GA; and the John Campbell Wear family of Ft. Payne, AL.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday at Mountain View United Methodist Church.

Services will be conducted at 12 p.m. at the church with Pastor Larry Ramey officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Friday at Gillespie Evergreen Cemetery in Brevard, NC.

Donations may be made to Mountain View United Methodist Church for James W. and Mary Ellen Sims, 4405 Orebank Road, Kingsport, TN 37664.