Karen J. Sims, 70, of Blackburn, Missouri, passed from this life on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her large, loving family.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Marshall Family Worship Center. Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Marshall Family Worship Center. Burial will be in the Missouri State Veterans’ Cemetery in Higginsville. Memorials are suggested to family choice. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com
Karen was born May 23, 1953, to Alfred and Laverne (Jones) Clark. On July 24, 1970, Karen married Kenny (Kenneth) Sims who has been her partner in life for nearly 54 years. The following year, 1971, Karen graduated from Marshall High School. In 1993, they moved to Blackburn, MO where they continued to raise their family and discover ways to support their community including Karen’s work as mayor from 2002-2016 and 2019-2023.
While Karen had many interests including cooking, crafts, decor, gardening, mentoring, and leadership, her most dedicated professional and volunteer focus in life was for the sake of nurturing children and pointing them to Jesus. She served as children’s pastor, preschool director in various locations, preschool teacher, classroom substitute and para, bus driver and Sunday school teacher.
Karen was a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ. There was nothing more important to her than her relationship with the Lord and her family. She understood what it meant to bear one another’s burdens, lived her life by faith, took every opportunity to serve, and was a true reflection of Jesus by her example.
Karen is survived by a strong and beautiful family, each one marked by the profound love she had for them and for Jesus: her husband, Kenny Sims of the home; children, Tim (Lisa) Sims of Marshall, MO, Jeff (Hadley) Sims of Marshall, MO, Scott (Erica) Sims of Blackwater, MO, and Steven (Amanda) Sims of Higginsville, MO; 10 grandchildren, Kelsie (Ryan) Morris, Sebastian (Michelle) Sims, Aaron (Karson) Sims, Steven, Kylie, Katie, Mollie, Owen, Ashtyn and Tristan Sims; five great-grandchildren, Rhett and Macie Morris, Sutton, Palmer and Shepard Sims; one sister, Peggy (Robert) Fischer of Branson, MO; plus nieces, nephews, and other family members who always felt at home in her presence.
Karen was preceded in death by her brother, Randy Clark; her parents; and granddaughter, Evie Sims.
Karen leaves a legacy of love, faith, and hope and will be greatly missed. We rejoice in knowing God’s promises are true and we will be together again one day. Until then we will cherish and hold each beautiful memory in our hearts.