Mary Mildred "Millie" Sims

Mary Mildred “Millie” Hester Sims, 88, of Brandon, MS, was called home to her heavenly Father on March 11, 2026.

Millie was born on August 7, 1937, in her grandmother’s home in Hamburg, MS. She was raised in a Christian home and fondly spoke of attending Bible school and revivals with her grandmothers. She was voted “Wittiest” by her peers at Washington High School and began playing varsity basketball at the age of 12. She played basketball at Copiah-Lincoln Community College from 1955-1956, before graduating in 1958 from Mississippi University for Women with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. In 1958, Millie married T.Q. Sims, and together they had four daughters – Suzanne, Peg, Ellen and Hester.

Millie’s lifework was defined by the care and love she poured into those around her. She was a bookkeeper at Liberty Mills and International Paper Company, before teaching 3rd and 4th grade at Sylvarena Baptist Academy. Millie ran her own store, the Louin Service Center, was a social worker at the Jasper County Welfare Department, and later wrote welfare policy for the State Department of Human Services in Jackson. Millie was a proud member of the DHS team that developed the first electronic benefit transfer (EBT) program in MS, before retiring in 2001.

Throughout her life, Millie was a devout prayer warrior and had a precious personal relationship with her Lord and Savior. She loved to share her wisdom through stories, had a joyful laugh, and was an especially great cook. Millie had a green thumb and enjoyed hummingbirds and flowers, especially orchids, camellias and hydrangeas. She loved the Mississippi State Bulldogs and adored her “grand dog” Sophie. Most of all, she was a strong mother who loved her babies.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Macree Hester, Sr., and Guynell Price Hester; daughter, Suzanne Sims Vening; and son-in-law, Jon Clair Saunders.

Millie is lovingly survived by her three daughters, Peg Sims Saunders of Ocean Springs, Ellen Sims Meeler (Don) and Hester Sims, both of Brandon; three granddaughters, Amanda Meeler Marshall (Adam) of Brandon, Alison Meeler Langlois (Brandon) of Starkville, and Molly Clair Saunders of Ocean Springs. She is also survived by her beloved brother, Walter M. Hester, Jr. of Springfield, LA, and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 15, at 1 p.m. at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Service will follow at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Burial will follow at Lakeland Place Memorial Park on Lakeland Drive in Brandon, MS. In honor of her beautiful life, Millie’s family will be wearing her favorite color purple and invite all to join them in dressing colorfully to celebrate her life.