Funeral home, Funeral director
Sims Funeral Home
Sims Funeral Home was founded by G. L. Sims after moving to Douglas from Dublin Ga. with his wife Sallie Melton Sims and four sons, R.T., Roy, Jim, and Tom in 1904. A fifth son, Charles, better known as Charlie, was born in Douglas a year later. G.L. Sims established Douglas Undertaking Company in 1910, with its initial location at the corner of Ward Street and Madison Avenue in Douglas. Douglas Undertaking Company moved to 114 South Madison Avenue in the 1920's and in 1928 G. L Sims passed away leaving the operation of the family business to his widow Sallie and his oldest son R.T. In 1935 R. T. passed away and Charlie Sims became the manager of Douglas Undertaking Company associated with his brothers Roy and Tom. In 1945, the Firm changed its name to Sims Funeral Home moved to its present location at 201 North Peterson Avenue at the home of pioneer Douglas and Coffee County resident Benjah Peterson, who had constructed the residence in 1906. Prior to the purchase of the Peterson residence by the Sims family, the old home site served as a boarding house for many Douglas residents, especially teachers, and was run by the Stapleton family. Business offices were constructed in the following years along with a 200 seat chapel in 1969. This Victorian business site has been a landmark in the Douglas community for over 61 years. In 1960, Neil Sims, became the third generation to be a part of the traditional family practice at Sims Funeral Home, and now serves as its President and CEO. In 1984, Neil's son Chuck became the fourth generation to become a part of the firm and he serves as its Vice-President and pre-need service director. Charlie Sims, Neil's grandson, is the fifth generation to become a part of Sims Funeral Home, Inc A devoted employee for over 50 years was Alvin Biggun Hulsey until his death in 1983. Mr. Hulsey's wife, Valeree, was also an employee for over 38 years until she retired in 1981. Ed Lewis and Eli Porter were also longtime employees of the firm, serving the public in many areas since the early 1950s. Mr. Lewis passed away in 1997, and Mr. Porter after he retired in 1992, passed away in 2003. Presently, Sims Funeral Home employees include, Mary L. Peterson our bookkeeper for over 25 years, Ruth Story our Insurance adjuster at 15 years, Roy Metts an assistant funeral director for 16 years, Charlie Sims State Licensed Funeral Service Apprentice for 4 years. Kay Merritt serves as the account receivables processor since 1995. Joe Cribb and A.C. Mc Keiver are the grounds and maintenance personnel. Lois Mills, one of the most talented musicians around, also serves in the area of Music for the firm as well as her specific duty as the visitation coordinator. Mrs. Mills has been playing for funerals all over south Georgia for over 60 years As devoted as the firm is to the public, Neil Sims has served as the Coffee County Coroner for twenty two years, and over thirty years in the coroner's office in total. Chuck Sims served as an officer in Ga. Army National Guard and was mobilized on three separate occasions to serve on active duty, to include Desert Storm. He serves today as the State Representative for Coffee, Atkinson and the southern portion of Jeff Davis County, in Atlanta in the General Assembly, and has for 10 years. Sims Funeral Home Inc is devoted to the public for which it has served for over 96 years, and holds to the tradition that every family we serve is like our own family. Web Site Designed and Created by Richard M. Wells Douglas, 31533 wellspc@gmail.com