James Alton Sims

James Alton Sims, 92, of Gatesville, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2009. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 Pm Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Scott’s Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Greenbriar Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 PM on Saturday. Alton was born on August 25, 1916 to the late James Wadie and Mary Ethel Boykin Sims in Turnersville. He attended school in Coryell County. He married Frankie Lee Franks on October 20, 1935. Alton worked at the W.T. Hix store, making deliveries and working on appliances, taught electronics at the State School for Boys and worked at Mitchell Tire Shop. Alton and Bob Beck also had a laundry mat close to the downtown area. He was song leader for over 30 years at Mountain Baptist Church and also served as a deacon for over 50 years. Alton loved to fish in his spare time and always had a story to tell. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frankie in 2001; son, Nathan Sims; brothers, Olen Sims and J.W. Sims; sisters, Estell Featherston and Mary Lee Doyle. Alton is survived by his children, Alton Dale Sims and wife Harollyn of Gatesville, Frankie Christine Rhoades and husband Terry of Grapevine; brother, Charley Manley Sims and wife Peggy of San Antonio; sister-in-law, Imogene Sims of Gatesville; grandchildren, Lyn Sims, Melinda Williams and husband Curtis, Denise Bennett and husband Scott, Dayna Young and husband Richard, Keith Rhoades and wife Keyli; great grandchildren, Frankie Bennett, Cheyenne and Charlee Williams, Wade and Kayla Young, Laine and Ryder Rhoades. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mountain Baptist Church or Greenbriar Cemetery Association.