Henry Burl Sims

December 21, 1924 - June 10, 2017

Henry Burl Sims, 92, died Saturday, June 10, 2017 at home surrounded by family.

He leaves his wife of 64 years, Mary Halbert Sims; his daughter, Donella Ware and husband Don; his son, Basil Sims and wife Cheryl; his daughter, Lydia Goodroe and husband Alan; and six grandchildren, Drew Sims and wife Michelle, Jordan Sims, Savannah Ware, Sloan Ware, Anna Claire Goodroe and David Goodroe. Henry is also survived by four brothers: Glenn, Floyd and his wife Pat, Perry and his wife Kathryn, and Lance and his wife Mary Beth.

Henry was born in Brazoria County, Texas to Charles Edward and Mary Edna Sims. In his early years, Henry helped out on the family farm with his nine brothers. After graduating from West Columbia High School, he attended Howard Payne College and the University of Corpus Christi.

Henry felt the call to ministry while picking cotton on the family farm as a youth. He attended Golden Gate Seminary in California and graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

While attending seminary, he was introduced to Mary Halbert on a blind date. After dating two months, Henry proposed marriage, and he and Mary were married four months later. Theirs was a match made in heaven.

For thirty-five years, Henry and Mary served faithfully pastoring churches. Henry preached and pastored with compassion, always striving to demonstrate the love and mercy of Jesus. He was known for his wit and servant heart.

Other interests of Henry were gardening, fishing and woodworking which he had ample opportunity to do on his property outside of Lufkin. He also enjoyed music and singing. After retiring from the ministry, he attended First Baptist in Hillsboro and was most recently a dedicated member of Meadows Baptist Church in Plano where he was well loved and ministered to.

Flowers are welcome, or contributions in Henry’s honor may be sent to Yellowstone Theological Institute at P.O. Box 1347, Bozeman, MT 59771. Online donations may be made at yellowstonetheology.org. Henry’s ministry has touched many lives. Yellowstone Theological Institute trains others to have that kind of impact through faith, adventure and the arts. Henry was instrumental in leading Dr. Bill Fowler into the preaching ministry. Bill is now leading students into the ministry at YTI as Provost and Professor of Biblical and Ministerial Studies. Henry’s influence continues.

Arrangements under the direction of Ted Dickey Funeral Home, Plano, TX.