Linda Bell Sims

Linda Bell Sims, age 98, passed away on Monday, October 30, 2023. She was always looking forward to the next gathering of friends; and we know there will be a party in Heaven when Linda Bell arrives! Linda is preceded in death by her husband Wilson “Woody” Sims and her daughter Linda Rickman “Ricki” Sims Baer of Nashville, TN; brothers Robert Henry Bell Jr and Carney Rickman Bell of Springfield, TN; and her parents Margaret and Robert Henry Bell of Springfield, TN. She is survived by her daughter Suzanne Sims Haizlip (Wilson) of Chattanooga, TN; her son Wilson Sims Jr (Ann) of Asheville, NC; her son-in-law Terry Blair (Ricki’s husband) of Nashville, TN; her grandchildren: Jeff Edmonds (Lourdes Cuellar) and their daughters Panambi and Luna Edmonds Cuellar of Nashville; Philip Edmonds (Linsey) of Driggs, ID; Callie Sims of Asheville, NC and Jenny Sims of Santa Barbara, CA. Born May 25, 1925, Linda thought she was the luckiest person in the world to have grown up in Springfield, TN. She loved to tell stories about living right down the street from her grandmother, Big Mamma, and the simple joys of a small town. She believed Springfield was as good as it gets: small enough that she could be chosen homecoming queen four years in a row, but close enough so she could get to the brighter lights of Nashville. In the summers as a young girl, she rode the train to Camp Nagawicka in Wisconsin where she made lifelong friends. She played fierce basketball on the Springfield High basketball team and loved going to the Springfield High state championship football games. She attended the University of New Mexico her freshman year, then transferred to Duke University where she fell in love with Nashvillian Woody Sims, a student at the University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, NC. After college, she worked as a model in New York City, yet soon followed her heart back to Nashville and her beloved Woody. They married August 12, 1948, and lived the rest of their long lives in Nashville. Linda worked several years as a social worker at the Nashville Welfare Department and also typed her husband’s law briefs. They enjoyed their fabulous group of friends and riding horses together on Woody’s family farm on the outskirts of Franklin. Then along came the children! She used to shake her pretty head and say, “3 under 3!”. Somehow, they all survived the often chaotic and fun-filled life on Westview Ave. Linda was equally at home at an elegant gala, or teaching a children’s Sunday School class. Linda’s adult life was highlighted by the family trips to Yellowstone and Disneyland parks in the station-wagon and being with their friends, the Monteagle gang, in all their many rollicking times together. Holidays were especially important to her with brother Carney and his family, in Springfield, and all the Sims family in Nashville. Linda and Woody loved sharing and entertaining at their vacation home in Bay Point, FL. In 1990 they built their Cashiers, NC mountain retreat, “Beulah Land”, where they enjoyed many summers with great friends and family. Linda helped originate “Grandmommy’s Camp” for the grandchildren at High Hampton. In Cashiers, Linda played spirited games of tennis and golf and further developed her love of painting, leaving us with beautiful landscapes and mountain memories. Each summer began and ended with the epic packing up and travel with their beloved Jack Russell terrier, “Precious”. Linda and Woody later moved from Westview Avenue to their current home in Foxhall Close. There she was proud to be one of the Foxy Ladies and loved her neighborhood. Known for her style, charm and beauty, she made it her business to be delightful company. To everyone, vibrant and adorable Linda was known for her positive energy, her determination and her love of family and friends. Wherever Linda was, one could be sure a party would ensue! Many of her adventures are captured in her autobiography, Once Upon Another Time. Throughout her life, Linda was a dedicated, selfless civic and church volunteer, particularly for the betterment of women and their families. For over 30 years Linda was passionate about the YWCA, Nashville, serving on its Board of Directors for many years, eventually rising to President. In her active church life at Vine Street Christian and later West End United Methodist, her enthusiasm for every arm of life there was contagious; she loved their fellowship and programs as much as she did the worship experience itself. She was also an active member of the Junior League of Nashville, the Centennial Club, Belle Meade Country Club and Stoneycrest Garden Club. Linda, like so many of the Greatest Generation, faced numerous challenges: the Great Depression, World War II, the loss of a brother and the challenge of raising three fun-loving and rebellious kids in the sixties. Yet through her strong faith, she saw the world from a glass half-full, with gratitude, her buoyant Spirit lightening the toughest days of her life. Linda loved all her Bell and Sims families, and was especially close to her nieces Karen Bell Moore, Sperry Bell Simmons, and nephew Robert Bell; and yes, she made sure everyone knew they and she were direct descendants of the Bell Witch. With family and friends, Linda loved weaving her family history into the simplest moments to her greatest adventures, in fact, every day with Linda was an adventure! Linda's spontaneous laughter, mischievous spirit, and deep loyalty to friends and family will be missed. Her life was broad and touched so many. With an open heart, and humming a catchy tune, she has crossed over now to be with her Lord, with whom she always found everlasting Peace. Visitations will be Sunday, November 12 from 4:30-6:00 pm and Monday, November 13 from 9:30-11:00 am in Reed Hall, West End United Methodist Church. The Celebration of Life Service will follow at 11:00 am on Monday, the 13th, in the Main Sanctuary, West End United Methodist, 2200 West End Avenue in Nashville. A private burial will occur at the Bellwood Cemetery in Adams, TN at a later date. The Sims and Bell families would like to express our deepest gratitude to the angels at SOS (Serving our Seniors) caregivers for their quality care that carried us all through these last few years. Ulina Holt, Linda Carr and many others, we love you. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests remembrances be made in honor of Linda Sims to: Project Redesign P.O. Box 159276 Nashville, TN 37215; the YWCA of Middle Tennessee 1608 Woodmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215; or to the church that she loved, West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville TN 37203. Arrangements are entrusted to Austin & Bell Funeral Home, Springfield Tennessee (www.austinandbell.com). (615) 384-1000

Linda Bell Sims

May 25, 1925 - October 30, 2023