Cover photo for Kathy Sims's Obituary
Kathy Sims Profile Photo
1952 Kathy 2023

Kathy Sims

April 22, 1952 — January 12, 2023

Kathy Lee Green Sims was born on April 22, 1952, in Enid, Oklahoma to Kenneth Lee and Beatrice (Evers) Green. She attended Garber Public Schools until she graduated in May of 1970.

Kathy met her high school sweetheart Bill Sims at Garber, and they were married on February 16th of 1968. They enjoyed 52 remarkable years together, raising a son and daughter in a home filled with laughter and love.

Kathy was a lifelong lover of learning. After graduating from Phillips University, she began her teaching career, teaching various English, newspaper, yearbook, and speech classes around northwest Oklahoma. Eventually, Kathy’s path led her home to Garber where she continued to teach. She served as a class sponsor and NHS sponsor for several years. In 1989, Kathy was voted Garber’s Teacher of the Year by her peers. She enjoyed coaching the Garber Academic team for many years and took pride in their success at the state tournament in 1994.

While teaching, Kathy began studies to become a school counselor. She was devoted to her students and loved setting them up for a lifetime of success. Mrs. Sims was known to be a firm but guiding hand and believed strongly that each and every student was capable of great things. Kathy was an active member of the Oklahoma Education Association & the Garber Education Association, where she served as president for multiple terms. After 30+ years of working in public education, she retired from her hometown school of Garber in May of 2017.

Kathy loved to read, appreciated nature, and enjoyed traveling. She was an avid musician and pianist, playing with joy for many different occasions. In 1970 while studying under Dr. Eugene Ulrich, she was named the Tri-State Music Festival Outstanding Soloist for her performance of Rachmaninoff’s Polichinelle, an accomplishment she recalled with pride. Her love of music led to a life of service at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she served as a pianist for over 50 years. It was at Immanuel Lutheran that Kathy saw all 5 of her grandchildren baptized and confirmed.

Kathy loved spending time with her children & grandchildren. “Katkat” was an excellent multitasker; she was known to watch games from the car while listening to a different game on the radio & watching yet another game on her cellphone. She did her very best to attend every game, concert, program, and ceremony the kids were involved in. Her advice, humor, wit, and courage were highly regarded, and her love second to none.

Kathy leaves behind her memory to be cherished by son Billy Sims II and wife Lori of Garber; daughter Tiffany Plunkett and husband Randy of Enid; grandchildren Tyler Sims of Oklahoma City, Victoria Plunkett of Oklahoma City, Parker Sims of Garber, Elizabeth Hunter and husband Landon of Edmond, and Kathryn Plunkett of Enid; sister-in-law Janice Gibson and husband Fred of Tulsa; brother Douglas Green and his wife Mary of Carmen; sister Angela Amundson and husband Troy of Garber; grand-dogs Kirby & Ollie, as well as many nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

Kathy was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill Sims; parents Kenneth and Beatrice Green; and brothers Timothy and Kenneth Lynn Green.

Friends are welcome to stop by the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Garber on Monday and Tuesday to pay their respects and sign her guest book. She will lie in state at the church from 10 until 5 both days.  The family will be present Tuesday evening at the church for a come and go gathering of family and friends from 5p.m. until 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at the Garber School auditorium on Wednesday, January 18, 2020, at 10 a.m.  Minister Mark Hein will officiate. Burial will follow at the Garber Cemetery.

Donations may be made in honor of Kathy to the Garber Alumni Association or to the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kathy Sims, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Funeral Service

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)

Garber School

OK

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