Funeral services Joyce Ann Leonard Sims, 78, of Shepherd, Texas will be held  10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with the Rev. Gregory Gerald officiating. Interment will follow in the Latexo Cemetery, in Latexo, Texas on April 26, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the service begins at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Joyce Anne (Leonard) Sims was called to the Lord on April 20, 2022, at the HCA Park Plaza Hospital in Houston, Texas with her family at her side.

Born December 12, 1943, in Beaumont, Texas, to Delmer and Faye Leonard.  Joyce, to all who knew her, was a unique and caring individual who touched the lives of all who knew her.

She married Harrol Dene Sims in 1964 and raised five loving children in the Shepherd, Texas community where she resided until death.  Her total dedication was to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in all aspects of their lives.  She was an avid reader and gardener and was well known for her keen wit and sense of humor.   For many years she was well-known at the Shepherd Seniors Center where she hugged everyone who visited.  Joyce was loved by everyone for her kind and generous nature and will be missed by all.   Heaven's great gain is our greater loss.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harrol Dene Sims; parents, Delmer Ray Leonard and Faye Nichols Leonard; maternal grandparents, Thomas and Katie Nichols and paternal grandparents, John and Mattie Mae Leonard.

She is survived by her sister Dorothy R. Stephens and many beloved cousins and her five children: Son's: Stephen Dale Sims of Spring, Texas; James Michael Sims and wife Karie Daniel – Sims, of Wichita Falls, Texas and Kevin Scott Sims and wife Ashley Sims, of Tenaha, Texas. Daughter's: Debra Dianne Sims – Nelms and husband Donald, of Spring, Texas and Dena Denise Sims of Humble, Texas. Grandchildren :  Brooke E. Sims, Joshua D. Graves, and wife Sarah, Heather D. Graves, Michael A. Nelms, Dustin M. Sims, Jamie K. Sims – Jaco, and husband Mike, Cade Sims, Hadley Sims, Dawson Williams, Cameron Shofner, Robert W. Hammond, and wife Carmen, Matt Dene Hammond, and wife Miranda and Mark Hammond. Great – Grandchildren :  Breanna Graves, Calen Rodgers, Alexis Nava, Harper Hammond, Finley Hammond, Kallie Hammond, Karoline Hammond, Carter Hammond, Macie Hammond, Mason Hammond, Teagon Jaco, Connor Jaco and Henry Jaco.

Pallbearers were Joshua Graves, Cade Sims, Robert Hammond, Matthew Hammond, Mark Hammond and Scott Sims.