Myrtle Ruby Sims

Mrs. Myrtle Ruby Smith Sims, age 91, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

Myrtle was born in the Mount Ida community in Sevier County, Arkansas, on July 31, 1934, to Jesse Ray and Fronie Elizabeth Hendricks Smith. She graduated from De Queen High School in 1952 and married her husband, Ray Sims, on Valentine's Day 1953. The newlyweds briefly lived in Monterey, California, for Ray's military service at Fort Ord during the Korean War and returned to Sevier County where they began their family in Horatio. The Simses resided in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a decade before relocating to De Queen in 1978. Myrtle worked in sales and advertising at The De Queen Bee Company for many years.

Myrtle was an active member of her community. As a young woman, she played in local basketball leagues and joined the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council (AEHC); she was active in AEHC in various capacities for more than 50 years and was recognized for her contributions to the organization at the statewide level. Upon moving to De Queen, she took up painting and joined the Cossatot Arts and Crafts Association where she served in leadership capacities for several years and was known for her expertise in palette knife oil painting. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of De Queen and enjoyed playing games such as Skip-Bo and Farkle, completing crossword puzzles, cooking and canning, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Sims was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 61 years, Tommie Ray Sims; a son, James Randall Sims; one grandson, Cameron Carter Sims; her siblings and their spouses, Bonnie Smith (Bobby), Arliss Smith (Mary), Lindon Smith (Jane), Roy Smith (Joyce), and Mitchell Smith (Neldene); a number of beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Dotti Austin or Barling, Arkansas; a son, Kevin Sims (Teresa) of De Queen; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Sims of Hot Springs; sisters-in-law Judy Smith of De Queen and Donna Sims of Crystal Beach, Texas; grandchildren Landon Sims (Lillie) of Benton, Louisiana, and Skylar Trammel of Hot Springs; Jesse Sims of Seattle, Washington, and Jace Sims (Addie) and Kaisie Cravens (Ben) of De Queen; and Carly Austin of Barling; five great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services for Myrtle will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2025, in Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in De Queen with Bro. Josh Herweck. Burial will follow at Mt. Ida Cemetery in De Queen.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 16th at the funeral home in De Queen.

The family would like to thank Myrtle's caregivers for supporting her during her final years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Myrtle's honor to the Cossatot Arts and Crafts Association, 430 Hwy. 278 E., Wickes, Arkansas 71973.

You may leave a condolence online at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes.com