MERIDIAN —

    Memorial services for Mrs. Norma Jean Bushong Sims will be held at a later date.  James F. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

    Mrs. Sims, age 82, of Meridian, entered into eternal life on Friday at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. She was the beloved wife of the late Jack Sims. Mrs. Sims, also known as “Jean”, was born on August 27, 1930 in Youngstown, Ohio, the youngest daughter of Herman Henry and Gladys Bolton Bushong. Jean spent her entire career in the medical field, rising to head of nursing at Newton Regional Hospital. She later retired from East Mississippi State Hospital as a nursing supervisor.

    She was an active member of Westwood Baptist Church in Meridian, where she dedicated her time and talent to many of the church functions, including facilitating Grief Counseling Sessions. Following the death of her husband, she performed volunteer work for Southern Care Hospice of Meridian.

    She leaves her loving son Cliff, his fiancée Mary, and his daughter Samantha McMullan, three sons Clint, Charles and Brandon and ten grandchildren.  She also leaves her loving daughter-in-law, Annette Sims, her daughter Samantha Sims and one granddaughter Hannah.  She also leaves her two loving furry feline “children”, Tommy and Sammie.

    She was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth G. Nelms of Trafford, Pa., who was mother to Melvin (Flora) Nelms of Level Green, Pa., Richard (Flo) Nelms of Murrysville, Pa., and Robert (Yvonne) Nelms of North Versailles, Pa., and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

    She was preceded in death by her brother, Herman Henry, Jr. of Poland, Ohio, who was father to Gary Arthur Bushong (deceased) and Lynn Ann Bushong  (Jerry) Kavan.  She was also preceded in death by her sister Evelyn M. Meyer of Bloomingdale, Illinois, who was mother to Richard (Patricia) Meyer, of Roselle, Illinois, Barbara (Richard) Miller, of Princeton, Illinois, and Sharon (Steven) Wright, of Princeton, Illinois, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her only living sister, Alice Marie B.  Barney, currently residing in Portage, Ind., is mother to Ken

    (Wanda) Barney, of Westfield, Ind., Jerry Barney, of Hobart, Ind., Karen (Thomas) Barney Zimmerman of Deer Park, Illinois, and David (Helene) Barney, of Valparaiso, Ind., and several grandchildren. Jean was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Jeff Sims.

    The family requests that in lieu of flowers; please make donations in her name to Westwood Baptist Church.

    Family and friends may sign the online memorial, leave a personal note for the family or order flowers at jamesfwebb.com