Mr. A. Terry Sims

September 29, 1940 - January 25, 2018

On January 25, 2018, the family of Arthur Terrance “Terry” Sims lost their beloved Poppy. It seems impossible to write an obituary for this man, whose heart beat with love and generosity for everyone he met. He and Brenda Mosley Sims, his wife of 56 years, opened their home to so many in times of joy and sorrow, or simply in friendship. All of us who knew him feel blessed that he was in our lives, grateful that he has gone to a place without pain, but selfishly wish that we could have kept him with us for a little longer. Terry was born on September 29, 1940, in Excel, Monroe County, Alabama. He was the seventh of nine children of Wilburn “Red” Sims and Lois Watson Sims. The family moved to Mobile when Terry was a child, where his parents ran a grocery store. He often shared stories of fond memories of growing up in the shadow of that store, and the generosity of spirit he learned from his parents and the community surrounding them. Although too young to serve in the Korean War, Terry served his country in the Marine Reserves, earning the rank of Lance Corporal. The training and camaraderie with his brothers at arms were a source of great pride for him his entire life. He credited the Marines with instilling in him many of the qualities he cherished most in himself -- his dignity, his strength through hardship, his rational mind and clarity of purpose, and most of all his sense of service to others. He used his military experience to build a career in shipping logistics, serving in management at the Alabama State Docksfor Ryan Walsh Inc., and the Port of Little Rock for SSA Marine. Terry’s greatest joy in life, even more than fishing and Alabama football, came from children -- his own and any others he happened to encounter. No child was a stranger to him, and he was “Poppy” to his own grandchildren and great-grands, as well as the children of neighbors, friends, co-workers, nieces and nephews. He kept a bowl of candy always at hand, and children from miles around knew they could wander into Poppy’s house for a piece and a sip of ice water anytime they wanted. Grown men of no relation to the Sims family still think of him as their Poppy today, and teach their own children to call him such. Terry is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers: Artemus (Patsy) and Maxie (Margaret). He is survived by his beloved wife Brenda; two brothers Harry Sims of Mobile and Charles Sims (Pat) of Citronelle; four sisters Louise Locke (Paul), Madeline Leonard (Tony), Dianne Crawford, and Pam Roberts, all of Mobile; two daughters Robin Prior (John) of Fairfax, Virginia, Debra Michelle Bodle of Loxley; one son Brad Sims (Carmen) of Little Rock, Arkansas; two granddaughters (Mclaine and Aubry Prior), six grandsons (Josh, Peyton, and Zach Bodle, and Luca, Bird, and Ike Sims), two granddaughters-in-law (Sarah and Kimmie Bodle), three great-grandchildren (Karsyn, Jaxon, and Charlotte Bodle), and dozens of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. We are all better people for knowing him, and he will be missed profoundly. A memorial service to celebrate Terry’s life will be held on Monday, January 29, 2018, 6:00 pm, at 3 Circle Church, HWY 104, Fairhope Alabama. Come as you are. Reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations of any amount be made in Terry’s name to the Weeks Bay Foundation at https://weeksbay.org or by mail to 11401 U.S. Highway 98, Fairhope, Alabama 36532.