Pat Sims Moore

Pat Sims Mainzer Moore "The peace of God passes all understanding." - Philippians 3:4-7 Pat Sims Mainzer Moore left this world to be in her new home with the Lord on October 5th, 2025, at 9 a.m. She was born May 16, 1945. She was preceded in death by her husbands Ted Lee Moore and Dr. Jacob Mainzer, her parents James and Virginia Sims, and a myriad of beloved relatives. She is survived by her children Shelby Mainzer (Marlena) and Kamesha Kahn; grandchildren Kyra Ann Kahn, Chris Anderson, Reid Lawrence, and Collins Renee Mainzer; as well as her step-daughter Margaret Moore. Her brothers Donald (Toni) Sims and Jim (Edda) Sims also survive her. Pat graduated from Central High School in Memphis, Tennessee. She attended colleges in Chicago, New Mexico, and Memphis. She received her M.A. in Counseling and Art Therapy at UNM. Pat loved all animals, with the possible exclusion of skunks. As an elementary student visiting her cousins, she tried to ride a goat and was summarily tossed over its horns. Another of her ideas, as a teenager, was to ride her horse into town in the late afternoon. At this time she would not be able to ride it back to the farm; it would have to stay in the backyard. Not a good idea. Her horse ate the garden and all of her mother's flowers. Another of Pat's plans gone awry. She began her teaching career on the Navajo Reservation in Window Rock, Arizona. At that time, in the early '70s, the children threw all their desserts away. Greatly surprised, she was told that the students had never tasted sugar and they did not like it. On American Indian Day, her 5th graders presented a program that was sung in the Navajo language. They wore their native dress also. As they presented their program, the Navajo employees stood in the doorway and kitchen to hear their language sung for the first time at the school. Years before, the children could not speak their language at school. After she received her M.A., she was a therapist and art therapist at Memorial Psychiatric Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. The program was a very successful one. She then moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she taught Severely Emotionally Disturbed Children (S.E.D.) at Bates School. The students built an elaborate zoo, and Pat invited all the classes in the school to view it. This was the first time the students had been recognized for their positive achievements by other students and teachers in school. Her next job was as the Counselor at Greenland High School. Her room was the former library, so there was lots of space for students and counselor aides as well. The aides and students formed groups that worked together in finding college scholarships and other group activities. Many were the first to graduate from college in their families - an encouragement to all the families. This was positive and powerful for the families. Pat also volunteered at the V.A. Hospital in Fayetteville, working in Art Therapy with our heroic men and women soldiers. It was an honor. She salutes all our soldiers. After retirement, she and her husband Ted traveled. They then moved to Butterfield Trails Retirement Center, where their Emotional Support Dog was always a healing member of the family. Life without Sugar Plum, as Ted named her, would have been hollow. All the residents, staff, and programs available were gifts to her. A special "shout-out" to all the staff. Pat loved to paint and won several Blue Ribbons at the Washington County Fair. Another of her loves was writing. She was also a Master Gardener. Her mantra was "just one more" plant. Her children and grandchildren were the loves, joys, and peace of her life. She would not have had it any other way. They stood by her every day of her life with their souls and kindness. Pat knew she was blessed. She was grateful for the love and spiritual support from them. A visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, October 9, at Nelson Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville.