Ila Merle Sims

Ila Merle Sims, 80, of Kaufman, TX went to be with the Lord on May 26, 2025. Merle was born on January 28, 1945, to Orbin Harrison and Esta Lee Pope in Dallas, TX. Raised in Dallas, she moved to Scurry in 1980. When Merle moved to Scurry, she became a member of the Kaufman Church of Christ and attended ever since; she was also the Church’s secretary for 30 plus years. Merle was a firm believer in building bridges, not walls, and accomplished that by volunteering in many ways including: being a teacher in the church’s Sonshine School, 3rd grade Sunday School teacher, Benevolent Center, Tough Love Program, Meals on Wheels, The Center, Church Bible Hour, Women’s ministry, going on mission trips, visiting the sick, shut-ins, and hospitalized; Lambs and Ewes (mother and daughter program), prison ministry, prayed with anyone, anytime with no judgement, women’s retreats, VBS, food pantry, helping with communion, Camp Koinonia, hosted baby showers for teen mothers, would help anyone who came to the church with a need and if she couldn’t find the funding she would pull it out of her own pocket. If you truly knew Merle, you know she didn’t want any recognition, so she is probably very upset with us right now. When she wasn’t serving the Lord through her church, she enjoyed reading and gardening. Merle loved her family very much, she was a beloved Mother, Grandmother and Sister. Her parents, Orbin and Esta Lee, son Russell Sims, and sister Ladonne Dalton preceded her in death. Those left to cherish her memory are children Amy Sims and Brian Harrison Sims; grandchildren Tyler Sims and Ahlexy Richardson; brother Joe Pope, numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.