Mary Jean Sims Parkman

Lanett – Mrs. Mary Jean Sims Parkman of Lanett passed away on Friday, October 11, 2019. Mrs. Parkman was born on August 19, 1940 in West Point, Troup County, Georgia, the daughter of William Curtis Sims, Sr. and Mary Ellen Thomas Sims.

On June 4, 1960, she was united in marriage to her devoted and loyal husband of over 58 years, Mr. Weldon Hayden Parkman.

Mrs. Parkman was a 1959 graduate of Valley High School and attended Southern Union State Junior College and Livingston State University. Mrs. Parkman rendered lengthy service to her family’s business, Sims Metal Works. She, as well as her siblings, assisted their father in his venture to provide support to the many textile mills that were key components to the viability of the Valley area.

Lengthy service was also rendered by Mrs. Parkman to the Beulah Schools during the fifty years her husband served as teacher, coach, and administrator. It can and certainly should be said that Mrs. Parkman, “Mary Jean”, stood by her man and each of the schools with a special emphasis on Beulah Elementary School. Mrs. Parkman spearheaded the drive to raise funds for Beulah Elementary School during its first year of operation. Her ongoing passion and support for Beulah Schools continued as long as her health permitted.

Mrs. Parkman was also active in the community. She was a member of Serendipity Red Hatters, West Point Woman’s Club, Wedgwood Garden Club, and Happy Chicks. Additionally, she was a volunteer at Lanier Memorial Hospital and at Callaway Gardens.

Mrs. Parkman was preceded in death by her husband, Weldon Hayden Parkman; her parents, William Curtis Sims, Sr. and Mary Ellen T. Sims; her sister, Doris Sims Langley; her brother, Joe N. Sims; and her brother-in-law, Scott T. Langley, Sr. She is survived by her sisters, Carole Sims Bishop (Terry); Hilda Sims Ware (William); brother, Curtis “Billy” Sims, Jr. (Joan); sister-in-law, Margurite Bishop Sims; and many nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be gratefully accepted or donations may be made to the Congregational Christian Church in Lanett or to Beulah Schools. The family will receive friends and loved ones at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. EST on Monday, October 14. A memorial service will immediately follow at 2 p.m. EST at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley with the Rev. David Bradshaw officiating.

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