Memorial services for Mayotha M. "Marge" (Barham) Sims were held April 23 at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Annandale, Va., followed by a Celebration of Life reception. Burial was held on April 25 at the U.S. Naval Academy columbarium in Annapolis, Md.
Marge died Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She was a graduate of Meridian High School, Meridian Community College and Mississippi Southern University.
Her husband, Capt. Thomas Malone Sims Jr., died March 14, 2011, at home in Annandale.
Tom and Marge lived in the Washington D.C. area for the last 28 years. The couple were volunteers for the National Military Family Association during much of that time. Tom was awarded the Presidential Medals of Service by George W. Bush and later by Barack Obama for his guidance and support of the association.
The couple’s volunteerism in the greater National Capital region extended over decades, guiding high school youth through their transition into adulthood at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Youth Fellowship in Annandale. Marge made detailed, artistic items for the church and served as a trustee. Tom served as church treasurer. Together, they delivered Meals on Wheels throughout Northern Virginia. At their favorite Meals on Wheels stop, instead of a "thank you" they received a “yeah, such as it is,” providing a story they relished greatly.
A 30-year U.S. Navy career kept the couple traveling from their original homes in Memphis, Tenn., for Tom and Meridian for Marge. They enjoyed tours of duty in Sasebo, Japan, where Tom earned a commendation for providing humanitarian aide to refugees of Vietnam on the USS Hector and in Atsugi, Japan where Tom earned the rank of Captain, Legion of Merit for his diplomatic work, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Displaying amazing simultaneous events throughout their lives, while Tom was a member of the 9th Company Class of 1957 at Annapolis, he introduced Elvis to audiences of the Naval Academy’s WRNV radio station which was more accustomed to classical music. Marge was selected by the legendary Elvis to be the lone gal in a Meridian audience to be kissed by the burgeoning star in a pink silk suit. This concurrency continued even to their recent illnesses and their passing just 29 days apart.
During his 30 years of military service in the Navy’s Supply Corps, Tom survived direct fire while participating in the invasion of Lebanon, provided tactical support to the recovery ships used in the first NASA launches, and coordinated the building, opening and all supply logistics for a “Senator Stennis” project, the Naval Air Station in Meridian. It was during this tour of duty where Tom’s Austin Healey 3000 slowed long enough to "pick up" the former Mayotha Marjorie Barham.
The newly married couple was sent directly to Guantanamo Bay Cuba the week after U.S. President John F. Kennedy promised Fidel Castro U.S. military intervention. Despite those dicey assignments, the couple enjoyed 48 years together and has one daughter who survives them, Kathleen Diane Sims.
Memorials may be made to the National Military Family Assn.
, 2500 North Van Dorn St., Suite 102, Alexandria, VA 22302-1601 or a preferred charity or church program.
Source: The Meridian Star Sun May 15, 2011, 06:30 AM CDT
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
