Obituary

Edith R. Sims, 85, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. Edith and her husband, Odis, who preceded her in death on Oct. 26, 2006, had previously lived in Plainview from 1965 until his passing. In 2010, Edith moved to Amarillo. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at First Baptist Church Chapel in Plainview with Dr. Gene Meacham, retired director of missions for the Caprock Plains Baptist Association, officiating. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Gardens under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. Mrs. Sims was born April 17, 1927, in Olustee, Okla. Edith was the daughter of the late Garland Henry and Sylvia Ann Woods Rieff. She moved to Texas with her family when she was a child and spent most of her childhood in the Cotton Center area. She was one of nine children. Edith was 7 years old when her mother passed away. The older brothers and sisters actively assumed positions of support for one another, and helped to rear the younger children. The family developed strong bonds of friendship and respect for one another throughout their childhood that continued to increase into their adult lives and marriages. Edith graduated from Cotton Center High School in 1944. Edith married Odis V. Sims Jr. in Lubbock, Texas, on Sept. 1, 1946. Odis was a career pilot, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1940 until his retirement in 1965, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. Edith traveled the globe with Odis during his career, and told of their first Christmas in San Francisco, just before he shipped out to Hawaii. Edith followed Odis to Hawaii in March 1947. Edith continued to follow Odis to Albuquerque, N.M.; Moses Lake, Wash.; London, England; Savannah, Ga.; Shreveport, La.; Stephenville, Newfoundland; and after retirement to Plainview. Her travels made stories interesting and inspiring, as she and Odis were Patriots for Jesus their savior, and for our great country. Edith and Odis moved to Plainview in 1965 where they spent more than 40 years living in the community. They were service-oriented and were active in many organizations supporting the community. Edith was an active member of PEO. She and Odis also were members of Knife and Fork, American Cancer Society, as well as founders of The Road to Recovery Program, and were instrumental in the founding and support of Plainview Christian Academy. In 2008, Edith and Odis were recognized by the City of Plainview and inducted into the Centennial Circle of Honor. Edith was a member of First Baptist Church Plainview where Odis served as an active deacon. She is survived by one sister, Ruby Teeter Barber of Bryant, Ark., and one brother, Henry Rieff of Cotton Center, 18 nephews and nieces, 41 great-nephews and nieces, and many great-great-nephews and nieces. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity . Online condolences may be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com