Julia Simms

Julia Simms, 71, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, May 26, 2003, at her home.

She was born Dec. 3, 1931, in Taylor, Miss., daughter of Isom Greenberry and Hessie LaVada Spurgeon Miles. She and James Harold Simms were married July 7, 1951, in Hernando, Miss. He died Dec. 26, 1966.

Simms was a secretary 15 years at First State Bank in Caruthersville, Mo. She moved to Cape Girardeau and was a corporate secretary 20 years at Colonial Federal Savings and Loan, retiring in 1992. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Survivors include three daughters, Donna Essner of Cape Girardeau, Deborah McClinton and Denise O'Brien of Clarksville, Tenn.; two stepdaughters, Jackie Dillow of Anna, Ill., Wanda Noel of Biloxi, Miss.; a stepson, James Thomas of Greenville, S.C.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and three sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The rosary will be recited at 7, and a vigil service will begin at 7:30.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Caruthersville, with the Rev. Joseph Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Little Prairie Cemetery at Caruthersville.