Louise D. Sims

Our beloved Louise Delores Sims, known to those who loved her as Lois, Lo, Momma, Granny, TeeTee, Sis, and so many other terms of endearment, left us on Sunday, January 26, 2025 . She was a woman whose life was a beautiful testament to love, laughter, and an unwavering spirit.

Louise came into the world on January 2, 1945. She was the fourth born to Ezra and Annie Belle Pruitt. Her life was infused with colorful humor, sassy energy and as the second girl born, Annie Belle's “chocolate twin" was never anybody's middle child. With a total of nine sisters and brothers, life wasn't boring-especially if Lois was involved! There are countless stories of her getting into mischief and challenging her older sister and brothers, but the one consistent truth- if anybody could put on an act to avoid a whippin, “Lois was gonna do it!” She herself recounted pretending to be sick on one occasion to avoid getting the belt; when asked “did it work?” her response was “Naw! I got the worst whippin of my life, but it wasn't for lack of trying! I sho' tried!” Lois was the kind of person whose presence was felt in every room she entered with her practical wisdom  and witty conversation. Her sense of humor was truly one of a kind—sharp, quick, and always just a little bit mischievous. She could put a combo of words together, some too colorful to mention here, that would tell you the truth and have you in stitches simultaneously. She had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel seen and special, often with nothing more than a “Hey Darling!” or “ Hi Sweetie". Her laughter was a soundtrack to so many moments of joy, and it will forever echo in our hearts. 

But beyond her wit, Louise was a woman of incredible depth and determination. She married Ernest  “Jr.” Sims  in 1962. And she made her life and home with her husband; first  in Laurel, MS, then in Erie, PA, and finally they settled in Joliet, IL where they lived the rest of their days. She was a smart woman taking her life education and achieving success. Her working career included Uni-Royal, Personal Products and Home Health Care. She was content to contribute to her household, but was proud to have a husband who could support their family. Their family grew with the birth of daughter Yolanda, son Ronnie and then baby girl Terra. She loved her husband and children. She  took great pride in being a devoted wife and getting  “her 3-piece" to adulthood and lives of their own. Their love for her was just as evident. They made their lives in Joliet, to stay close to their mother. For as much as they were adults, they talked to their mama everyday. She had a special friendship with each of her children and even when she was traveling-  you could count on hearing her say “hold on this is Ronnie on the phone” or a boisterous “Hi Yolanda!” daily.  She was a fighter, never one to back down from a challenge- even if it was her husband! Some of the funniest arguments could be heard between Her and Jr as they held court over the 3rd and Miller corner. He spoke so fast very few could understand him and it was her response that would make us understand what was happening! “Lois!” as he came down the stairs fussing about the fit of shirt he was wearing (in words nobody could understand). “Durnit Junior! Shucks that’s a blouse not a shirt!”. It was also just as common to see them sitting on the front porch people watching and enjoying the summer sun together, talking about the happenings in the neighborhood or families. 

 She approached every obstacle in life with a steadfast resolve. Whether it was overcoming personal struggles with her health, supporting her loved ones through their own hardships, or simply persevering through life’s ups and downs, Lois always showed us what it meant to be resilient, strong, and compassionate; mostly for her children, and her grandchildren when they came along. She had an essential part in helping to raise all of her grandkids, often for days at a time because she loved having them near. Kevin led the crew naming her “ganny" and then “granny"- and that’s who she was! Brianna, Tyvionna, Lil Ronnie, Maliyah and Charli all had a way of saying “granny" that no one else could duplicate. And she knew each voice. Kali seems to have naturally inherited her granny’s complexion and her energetic curiosity about the world!

Her love for her family and friends knew no bounds. You could come over at anytime and she was ready to feed you. If she didn't have something already on the stove, she would quickly have “Jr, run to the store and pick up a pack of wings! “ Lois was a great cook, and you couldn't top her on the grill! She and her older brother James had a healthy competition for who was the BBQ expert, and nobody could bring out her “inner cusser” quite like Jr and James.

 She had a few favorite cusswords, and amazingly enough, you only got to hear them if she loved you! Her whole life was colorful- including her language. If you ever looked up the statement “I love Jesus and I cuss a little" you would see a picture of Louise. She loved God with all her heart and  would be the first to tell you she was faith in progress. She said once “if I don't get but one jewel in my crown, I'm still richer than anybody that went to hell!” When you called on her for wisdom, she would remind you that “the Good Lord did or didn't…” and finish with whatever you needed to hear. She attended different churches throughout her life, but that wasn’t her bragging point.   Her faith was sure and she didn’t care about proving it to anybody but God. But it was evident in her love for family and friends. She fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, and gave to those in need. 

 She was especially close to her sisters, all of them, “them Pruitt girls" and their love for one another is the stuff of legends. “Cat" “Lois" “Mary" “Jo" “Lil" and “Big". If they were together you could be sure to never watch a movie all the way through. The post office had nothing on them when it came to sharing family gossip! Telephone, Telegraph and “Tell-a-teetee"! And the favorite line we all came to accept and love “I didn’t tell nobody …but Cat Joann and Mary and lil sister and big sister!”   But if ever there was a real life Ernie and Bert it was Lois and Mary. She thoroughly loved having her next younger sister living just across the street. The streets and stores of Joliet didn't know a “Louise" without a “Mary" or vice versa. They were the best of friends, mom-tees to each others' children,  and kept each others’ secrets. 

Louise leaves behind a legacy of warmth, humor, and love. She taught us all the importance of finding joy even in the toughest of times. There aren't words to describe the void her absence leaves in our lives. We are better for having been loved by her, and for having her to love. We believe when she arrived at Heaven's shores,  her parents, Ezra and Annie Belle; and her 2 older brothers James Edward and Lee Edward were waiting there for her. Her beloved husband of 59 years, Ernest took her hand and escorted her to their new mansion! Her son-in-love Charles was there to hold the gates open, having just arrived only a month before Louise. 

While we mourn her loss, we also celebrate her life—one that was filled with laughter, love, and the kind of strength that inspired all who knew her. Her memory will live on in the stories we share, the jokes we tell, and the love we continue to give. Her Children Yolanda and Ronnie, Terra, Mark (Corless) and Shamekia(Cedrick) will carrie the torch of Lois and Jr's legacy. Her grandchildren, Kevin(Marissa), Tyvionna, Brianna and “lil” Ronnie, great grand children- Maliyah, Charli, and Kali will be her voice in the future.  Her Sisters and Brother- Carrie (John) Hampton, Mary Austin, Betty Thompson, brother Bobby (Gwen) Pruitt and her youngest sisters, twins Dorothy Ruth (Tony) McCullum and Dorthy Faye Pruitt; Sister-in-loves Fanny Veasy and Lucy McGee will keep her values flowing to the next generation. Each one of her nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends had a special space in her heart, too numerous to list here, but always “number 1” when you were with her!

She would want us all to keep some of her favorite phrases and  expressions going-including her favorite profanity! She would demand we laugh amidst the tears and she would tell us that the Good Lord didn't put us on this earth to sit around crying. So in honor of our beloved Louise Delores Sims- Live, Laugh and Love!

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