Shirley Howard Sims

Shirley Howard Sims, 90, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Shirley was born on February 27, 1936, in Hawkinsville, Georgia, to the late Cecil and Beatrice Howard. She graduated from Hawkinsville High School, where she was a cheerleader, a star basketball player, and the homecoming queen. She went on to attend Young Harris College, where she was also a cheerleader.

Shirley spent time working on Robins Air Force Base and with NASA before landing at Northside High School, where she worked as a secretary for many years.

During her time on base, Shirley met the love of her life, Richard Blois Sims, to whom she was married for sixty-five wonderful years. Together, they dedicated themselves to loving and cherishing their family. Shirley was especially adamant about sharing her strong love of the Lord with her children.

Shirley’s spiritual impact was felt beyond just her family. She faithfully served at Central Baptist Church for over forty years, where she was very active with teaching and leading the High School youth. She became a mentor to both members of the youth group and her friends. She also served as a greeter for many years.

In her free time, Shirley enjoyed helping with drama productions and pageants, where she loved to do make-up. She was also involved with the Miss Warner Robins Pageant. She was a huge Elvis fan and even took her daughter to see him perform. She was a die-hard Auburn fan – Shirley loved taking her kids and grandkids to watch their football and basketball games. She liked to read and was always happy to throw on one of her favorite shows or movies.

Shirley loved to laugh and always looked for an opportunity to make others laugh with her. Her deep love for the Lord overflowed into an abundant love for everyone around. She was a gentle, kind, and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her beloved husband, Richard B. Sims; her children, Richard A. Sims (Kim) and LeeAnn Romines (Joel); her grandchildren, Anslee Vaughan (Haydn), Tori Lim (Zach), and Andy Sims, and Cameron and Colton Romines; her great-grandchildren, Maximus, Emi, and Brooklyn Vaughan; and her cousin, Simone Taylor (Lenny); along with a host of extended family, church family, and friends.

Visitation will be on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Afterward, a funeral service will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Shirley will then be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Parkway Memorial Gardens.

The family will accept flowers or donations may be given in memory of Shirley to the Central Baptist Church Building Fund at centralwr.com.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements. Posted as a courtesy to the family of Mrs. Sims.