Tobie Sims
Tobie Leigh (Hamlett) Sims was born June 27, 1967 in Jal, New Mexico. Much of Tobie’s childhood was spent telling people she was born in Jail. That should have been the first clue that this kid was full of spunk and personality. It was later confirmed, when around the age of 4 on an airline flight, she asked a flight attendant for a Coors to drink while singing Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog. It isn’t any wonder that Tobie and her friends always joke that God is shaking his head and asking, “Tobie, what were you thinking?”.
Tobie was a unique soul. Even as a child she often dealt with unusual illnesses and crazy events. She had an awful case of chicken pox like no one had ever seen and she once was attacked by a peacock that jumped up and scratched one entire side of her face.
She spent her early years in New Mexico and South Texas before moving to Colorado during Jr. High. In High School she had a long distance relationship with her future husband. After graduation, the tall lanky Colorado girl married the tall lanky Arkie, Travis Bo Sims. She headed to Arkansas where she spent the next 30 plus years.
Her adult years were spent volunteering with her church and community, loving and supporting her friends, raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in hopes of finding a cure for FSH Muscular Dystrophy, being a caregiver to her dear friend who had suffered a stroke and spending as much time possible cruising to far away lands.
Over the years Tobie had numerous health issues, FSH Muscular Dystrophy, ITP and Afib to name a few, but her personality and her faith kept things in perspective. In 2015, Tobie battled Tracheal Cancer and won. She lost her hair, but never lost her faith.
Tobie lived 1 Peter 3:15-16 ~ 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
She always had an answer for her hope. It was her faith in Christ that sustained her. Tobie’s greatest happiness came when Bo accepted Christ as his Savior. She and Bo grew together in their relationship and in their relationship with their Savior.
Just a few short weeks ago, Tobie learned that her cancer had returned. It was now Stage 4 Liver Cancer. Being the optimistic person she is, she told the doctors that she looks good bald so losing her hair again wouldn’t be a problem and she was ready to fight again.
While we may not understand God’s timing, Tobie knew that this earthly home is not our forever home. Having to decide between quality of life and quantity of life, Tobie began making final arrangements and getting her affairs in order. If doctors could offer a new treatment, she would try it. But, if there was to be no long term benefit, then living her life to the fullest until God called her home would be the choice.
Some will say that Tobie earned her wings and has flown home. But Tobie would want you to know that that is not the case. Angels are angels, and she is a child of God. Tobie is a daughter of the King and she has received her crown. She knows her Savior and he welcomed her home September 19th, 2017. Those of us that are Christ followers will one day be reunited with her. Until then, Tobie would want everyone to understand what it means to have a relationship with Christ our Lord. Heaven is real. Hell is real. Where do you stand? If today were your last day on Earth, would you be headed to glory? If you are unsure of your future, please find a Bible believing church, take that leap of faith and ask how to find Christ and to have unexplainable joy and peace even in what seems to be the darkest of trials.
Tobie is survived by her husband- Bo, parents-Larry and Sherri Hamlett, sister-Mia Archuleta, in-laws-Don and Laverne Sims, Niece-Andee (Tim) Spitzke, Great Niece-Riley Jane Spitzke, Nephew-Corey (Devan) Archuleta, Nephew DogJoey, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved friends and church community.
“His master replied, ‘ Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matt. 25:23 NIV
A celebration of her life will be at 11:00 A. M. Friday at the Texarkana Funeral Home Arkansas Chapel with Rev. Todd Reed and Rev. Wes Dean officiating. Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 PM until 8 PM Thursday.
The family will be at their residence on Highway 82 East, Texarkana, Arkansas.
Memorials may be made to the ArkLaTex MDA, 900 Pieremont Road, Shreveport, LA 71106
Online registration is at www. texarkanafuneralhome.com