Arnel Sims, Sr.

Arnel Sims, Sr. was born June 23, 1940, to the late Rufus and Vashti Harding Sims in Hicks, Arkansas.

The Lord blessed him to labor and to share life, love, and service, for 85 years. On Thursday, April 2,

2026, God sent his angels to summons his child home. Arnel joined the military and served for 20+ years

and retired at the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC).

His proudest moment was being a part of The 1st Infantry Division, nicknamed “The Big Red One.”

Arnel served as deacon at Allport Community Fellowship (ACF) under the leaderships of his brother,

Rev. Lacey Sims, Sr., the late Rev. Eddie Bryant, and now, Rev. Roderick Brown, until his health failed.

 Preceding Arnel in death were his parents, sons Kerry Sims and Michael Criss, his sisters Gloria

Murphy, Beatrice Walker and Tanya Bennett.  Arnel fought a good fight; he finished his course; he

kept the faith. Left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife, Ethel; his sons, Ronnie

Thompson (California), Arnel Sims Jr. (Lawton, OK) and Corey Criss (Conway, AR); daughters

Tiajuana (Daniel) Holt (Salinas, California), Natalie Wills (Lawton, OK), and Tiffany Edmonson

(England, AR); brothers, Rev. Lacey (Doris) Sims (Grand Prairie, TX); Rowland (Brenda) Sims

(Detroit, MI); Melvin (Helen) Sims (MPLS, MN); and James (Nancy) Sims (Brooklyn Park, MN;

sisters, Olympsie Johnson (Greensboro, NC); Algeria Sims (St. Paul, MN); Artelia Royster

(Bryant, AR); Jessie Mae (Donnie) Farr (Marvell, AR); Evon (Arthur) Ford (Little Rock, AR);

and Erma Washington (MPLS, MN); One special aunt, Bertha Simms (Hot Springs, AR), as well

as grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces,

nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 11, 2026, Allport Community Fellowship Church,

122 Allen Street, England, Arkansas 72046.  Family Hour 5-6 p.m., Friday at the Church.

Interment:  Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 13, 2026 with Full Military

Honors, 1501 West Maryland Avenue, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72120.  Funeral Services

entrusted to the "Legacy" Hubble Funeral Home, “Serving You With Professional Care Since 1900”,

www.hubblefuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arnel Sims, Sr., please visit our floral store.