Doris Geraldine Sims, born February 23, 1920, passed away surrounded by family on June 3, 2014 in San Diego. She was born in Fredonia, Kansas, the youngest of five children and devoted daughter of Edward and Elsie (Gilson) Parsons.
In 1942, Doris married Charles Thomas Sims, and they had their first daughter, Sharolyn Kay, one year later. They moved from Kansas to San Diego in 1945. Doris and Charles’ second daughter, Christy Lynn, was born in 1953, and within the year they moved to the Kensington-Talmadge area.
As church secretary and a long-time member, Doris faithfully attended Park Boulevard United Methodist Church with her family. She was active on many boards, in the Chapel Class Sunday School and the Woman’s Society of Christian Service, and as the Wedding Hostess until the church closed.
She was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, La Paloma Star Chapter #96. When her daughters were in the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, Doris was Mother Advisor of San Diego Assembly #129 and was considered a second mother by many of the young women.
In the 1970’s, she received college certificates in conservatorship and worked nearly three decades as a Private Professional Conservator. Doris served close to 30 conservatees and carried out her responsibilities with compassion and integrity. She was also president of the San Diego County Conservators Association.
One of her treasured pastimes was genealogy. Doris was a proud member of First Families of Tennessee (families with ancestors there before statehood in 1796), and the Civil War Descendants Society. Politics was another passion. She loved the political process in her country, the flag, and the privilege of voting, so it was poignant that she passed away on Election Day.
Doris and Charles enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as to the Holy Land, Europe, South America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
She was very involved in the community, and her friends dubbed her “Mayor of Kensington.” For many years Doris was treasurer of the Kensington-Talmadge Community Association and of the Kensington-Talmadge Planning Group. She joined the community church and was a life member of Friends of the Kensington-Normal Heights Library. An avid reader, she counted Agatha Christie among her favorite authors.
Doris was talented in many types of needlework. She sewed outfits ranging from formal gowns to doll clothes for her family. She also crocheted layettes for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and was honored for 3,000 hours of service.
In 2001, Doris moved to Fredericka Manor in Chula Vista, where she participated in varied activities. During that time, she chaired the Hospitality and Program committees and appeared in a television commercial and newspaper advertisement for the manor.
In her last three years of life, Doris enjoyed the comforts of a beautiful guest home in San Diego, with individual, loving care. She kept up with the news, discussed politics, and especially enjoyed the birds in the yard where she walked each day.
Whatever she became involved in throughout the years, Doris put her heart and soul into it. She made many, many friends and helped countless people. Her sweet spirit touched lives wherever she went, and her family was very proud of her.
Doris was preceded in death by Charles, her husband of 55 years, in 1998. She is remembered with love by her daughter Shary Irwin, daughter and son-in-law Christy Sims and Mark Neynaber, grandchildren Dan Michener and Janelle Neynaber, great-granddaughter Kristina Michener, and niece Twyla Mosman.
Donations may be made to Friends of the Kensington-Normal Heights Library, 4121 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116. Attention: Doris Sims Memorial.
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