JoAnn G. (Noland) Sims

JoAnn G. Sims, 84, of Francisco, IN went home to be with the Lord March 29, 2024. She was born May 24, 1939, in Fresno, California to the late Harold Evert Noland and Gladys Irene(Osterode) Noland. JoAnn married the love of her life, Ray Winston Sims, and was blessed with 55 years of marriage before his passing March 10, 2012. Her brother-in-law, Mickey Thomas invited Ray for a family Thanksgiving dinner in 1957, since he had just got out of the Army and had no family in CA. JoAnn would describe their meeting as love at first sight and they were married 6 months later on JoAnn’s birthday, May 24, 1958. At the time of her and Ray’s meeting she described herself as only having a 3rd grade education. Ray taught her how to read, write, and do math. She was known to value her math abilities by balancing her checkbook to the penny. JoAnn enrolled in college after her children were older and earned a degree in Early Childhood Development. They moved back to the Princeton area and she took a position as Manager at Compassionate Care Adoption Agency. She had the honor of being able to bring home many children from Russia, China, and Ukraine. JoAnn enjoyed making and painting ceramics, traveling around with Ray in their RV, fostering Greyhounds, and volunteering at Gibson and Pike County animal shelters. She adored animals, especially her dog Abby. Most importantly JoAnn loved her family, no matter how far away they were. She always thought family came first. JoAnn is loved deeply and will forever be missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Winston Sims; and siblings, Colleen (Mickey) Thomas and Bradley Noland.

JoAnn is survived by her children, Ronald Sims, Donald (Tammy) Sims, Mark Sims, and Marsha (John) Dodd; grandchildren, Jesse (Melissa) Sims, Jamie Sims, Justin Sims, Jenie Sims, Sarah (Eric) Pollock, Angie (Jeff) Huey, and Bryan Grubb; great-grandchildren, Abbi JoAnn Sims, Dillon Chaney, Sway James Pollock, Jarrin Huey, Jevin Huey, Zane Grubb, Tyler McIntire, Vladimir Sims, and Jilian Chaney; nieces and nephews, Danny (Erica) Thomas, Mike (Jeanne) Thomas, Ryan (Amanda) Noland, and Dane (Tonia) Noland; sister-in-law, Beth Noland; and puppy, Abby.

The funeral service will be held 9:00 AM (CST) Friday, April 5, 2024 at The Oasis Church in Princeton officiated by Pastors Jeff Enochs and Mike Marsh. Interment will follow 2:30 PM (EST) at Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison, Indiana. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 4 until 8:00 PM (CST) at the church.

For those who wish, memorial contributions can be given to Gibson County Animal Services. Envelopes will be available at the Church. Online condolences can be given at www.ColvinFuneralHome.com where you can share a memory of JoAnn. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sims family.

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