SIMS, Susan Louise "Susie" 55 years and 10 days, of Springfield went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 in Southbrook Care Center. Rejoicing her arrival at the gates of Heaven are her father Earl Richard Sims "Simmie"; her paternal grandparents Elbert Sims and Birl Sims-Hook; her maternal grandparents Carl Delmon and Florence Lotella Davis; special cousin Edward Alan Orman; many aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends. Earl Richard "Simmie" and Esta (Davis) Sims were blessed with Susie as their first born on March 4, 1952. Susie was a 1970 graduate of North High School and was very pleased to be a teacher at Happy Day Daycare, where she loved each and every one of those children as if they were her own. She loved to go to work and spend the day with the children. Susie then worked at several jobs, never finding the joy that she found at the Happy Day Daycare. She retired, disabled from Olan Mills Inc. in 1996, after 15 years of service. Susie was a survivor. Her biggest battle was Breast Cancer, that she has fought since 2001. It was a long and courageous battle, but one she was not destined to win. Susie enjoyed bowling, reading, music and her PT Cruiser. Susie was a member of several PT Cruiser Clubs in Ohio. She really enjoyed all the meetings and trips and all her fellow PT Cruiser friends. She was a member of the Caring Friends & Pink Ribbon Society at the Springfield Cancer Center. She is survived by her mother Esta A. (Davis) Sims; sister and brother-in-law Sheryl A. and Gary D. Roddy; sister by heart Karen S. Benkert, all of Springfield; devoted aunt Donna M. Orman of Middletown; nieces and nephews Gary W. and Tammy Roddy and their daughter Sabrina, Dave and Maryann Van Hoose and their daughters Diamond Gabbert and Taylor Van Hoose, all of Springfield; her kitty cat "Gypsy"; special friends Beth Moore, Tina Seitz, Patti and Ashley Martin; many cousins. She was preceded in death by her father; grandparents; aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; and "Wizard," her first kitty cat who showed her how to battle cancer. The family will receive visitors Sunday from 2-5 p.m. in RICHARDS, RAFF & DUNBAR MEMORIAL HOME. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. in the Memorial Home with Chaplain Rick Clos officiating. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family requests, please, no flowers. Donations may be made in Susie's name to Hospice of Springfield, 1343 North Fountain Boulevard, Springfield, Ohio 45504 or to A Special Wish Foundation. P.O. Box 2298, Springfield, Ohio 45501. The family wishes to send a special "Thank You" to Barb, Kimberly and Myra and to all the wonderful people at Hospice, Dr. Singh and Staff, Dr. Nedelman and Staff, Dr. Sullivan and Staff, Dr. Burks and Staff and to Southbrook Care Center for taking Susie in at such short notice and giving her such good care. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.richardsraffanddunbar.com. .

Published in Springfield News-Sun on March 17, 2007