Bobbie Jean Sims

February 2, 1936 ~ March 25, 2010

© Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home

Submitted by: T.D.

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, at age 74, in Madill, Oklahoma, on March 25, 2010.

Jean was born on February 2, 1936 in Caddo, Oklahoma. She was a lifelong nurse who began her career in 1962 working as a nurse’s aide at the old Durant Hospital at 16th and Evergreen. She studied at Grayson County College to become a licensed practical nurse in 1964. She worked at the Durant Hospital until 1970, when she joined the Bryan County Health Department. She worked full-time at the health department, and she also worked on the weekends at the hospital and nursing homes while working toward her associate degree in nursing, which she received in 1976 from Grayson County College. She also held several bachelor’s degrees from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Jean was the recipient of several awards during her career. She received the prestigious Edith Wirick Award in 1988, which honors leaders in the community nursing field. In addition, she also received numerous other awards throughout her nursing career. She married Alvin Sims on August 16, 1976 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Elaine Thomson of Roberta; daughter, Deana Covey and husband, Jim Springer of Kingston; daughter, Penny Proctor of Madill; son, Mark Proctor of Durant; son, Mike Proctor of Homer, Alaska; grandson, Stacy Carr of Fort Worth; grandson, Shannon Carr of Roberta; grandson, Justin Toney of Denison, Texas; granddaughter Sara Toney McCarty of Tom Bean, Texas; grandson Derek Proctor of Durant, Oklahoma; grandson Chad Covey of Caddo, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Alyssa Springer of Kingston, Oklahoma; grandson, Keaton Luellen of Madill, Oklahoma; grandson, Heath Arrington of Texas; and seven great-grandchildren. Jean is also survived by her brother, Joe Blackburn; brother, JC Blackburn; brother, Roscoe Blackburn; brother, Sam Blackburn; sister, Peggy Taylor; sister, Nancy Blackburn; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Sims; parents, Morris and Florene Blackburn; daughter, Teresa Proctor; son, Henry Arrington; daughter, Judy Arrington; and grandson, Ryan Arrington.

The family will receive friends at Coffey-Murray Funeral home Sunday from 3-4 P.M. Services will be held at Coffey-Murray Funeral home on Monday, March 29, at 2 P.M. The grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Rev. Dan McLemore will .