Retired Army Maj. Gen. Shields Sims was known for his devotion to community service in Columbus, including 50 years at Columbus First United Methodist Church, nearly 40 years of service in the military and decades of work with organizations such as the Columbus Housing Authority and Columbus-Lowndes United Way.
Tuesday, the Columbus attorney passed away at the age of 90.
Sims” accolades include the Layman of the Year Award from the Columbus Kiwanis Club and the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Pushmataha Area Council of Boy Scouts of America.
Most recently Sims was honored by the Columbus Exchange Club with their 2007 Andy Morris Book of Golden Deeds Award for community service.
“Shields Sims hasn”t just contributed five, 10 or 15 years to his community and his country. He has literally given a lifetime of service. He truly has a servant”s heart,” Joyce Hunt had said during the February 2008 ceremony, as she presented Sims with a plaque commemorating the award.
The Shields Sims Humanitarian Award was established in 2001 by Mississippi Association of Housing And Redevelopment officials, to memorialize Sims for his lifetime of humanitarian service to public housing residents.
Services for Sims are Friday at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with visitation the hour prior to service.
Visitation also will be held Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Memorial Funeral Home.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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