Era Guinette Sims

Era Guinette Sims, 74, of Monette, passed peacefully from this life Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. The daughter of the late Andrew and Virgie Williams Anthony, Guinette was born over two months premature, so her battle to live began at birth. Her first six weeks of life were spent in the hospital. She had a long journey of fighting for life. Her last 44 days were spent in the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, and she fought very hard, but this was the one battle she couldn’t win. Guinette truly loved her God and would tell anyone she could just how great God was. She was a prayer warrior for anyone she could think of that needed God’s strength and peace, especially anyone who said they didn’t know God as their Lord and Savior. She could meet someone and if she sensed they needed prayer, she would sometimes ask Don if he thought it would be alright if she added them to her prayer list. Guinette truly cared for people, especially her family and friends and all her brothers and sisters in Christ. She would try to help them in any way she could. She loved her boys and would do as much as she could with them. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and wanted to be with them every moment. Even when she was not able, she still wanted to hold them close and tell them how much she loved them. Guinette was a wonderful partner and best friend to her husband. She helped him in all of his business ventures. She pumped gas, washed cars and helped him drive cars to and from sales. She would try to do about anything. She even helped him roof their house. She eventually decided to do something on her own and became a beautician. It really worked for her because of her love for meeting people. She still didn’t want to be far from Don, so she had three different shops over the years, two on their home property and one on his work property. Don and Guinette spent a wonderful lifetime together with a marriage that lasted over 58 years.

They have had many friends over the years with some very special ones. In their early life were Dennis and Patsy Clark and Sam and Pat Bibb and in later life were Pat and Debra Bader. The friendship with James and Linda Pendergrass lasted for about 45 years and was still going strong. Guinette and Linda spent many years working with the youth in church. Guinette and Debra spent many years working with Don and Pat. There were many vacations and long trips together. The families were raised together and all still have a special bond. Guinette is going to be missed by all who knew her. She will definitely be remembered by all who know her. So, Guinette, we say goodbye for now and we look forward to seeing you again. In addition to her parents, Guinette was preceded in death by her firstborn son, Donnie Sims; brothers, Dewight Anthony and Jimmy Anthony; sister, Phyllis Greathouse; sister-in-law, Paulette Anthony; firstborn great-grandson, Tristan Joe Sims, age 11, with whom she had a very special bond; two daughters-in-law, Dorothy Sims and Rhonda Sims.

Guinette is survived by her husband, Don Sims of the home; son, Randy Lee Sims (Lisa) of Monette; a grandson raised in the home, Anthony Joe Sims (Ashleigh) of Little Rock; a granddaughter raised in the home, Ashley Marie Clinton (Jonathon), also of Little Rock. Other grandchildren include Morgan Lynn Burt (Adam) and Braden Lee Sims (Vallory); three great-grandsons, Lincoln Sims, Rhowan Sims and Oliver Clinton; three great-granddaughters, Olivia Oxford, Winnie Sims and Harper Clinton; and two great-granddaughters on the way (Isabella Rose Burt and Millie Drew Ellis Sims).

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with pastor David Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Monette Memorial Cemetery. Serving as active pallbearers will be James Pendergrass, Stephen Pendergrass, Adam Burt, Braden Sims, Jonathon Clinton and Steven Greathouse. The family will receive visitors Saturday from noon until service time. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.HowardFuneralService.com.