Obituary of Catherine Minerva Sims "Muddie" Giles

Catherine Minerva Sims Giles (Billie/Muddie), beloved mother of John Reid, Jr. (DeAnn), Susan Elizabeth Huff (Don) and Sandra Louise Roozen (Ken), went to be with her loved ones in The Heavenly Kingdom on March 28, 2013. She was 99 years old (born February 1, 1914). She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. James Anthony and Susan Morriss Sims; her brothers, James Anthony Sims, Jr. and Marion Henry Sims; and her sisters, Amy Louise Sims Hammett and Augusta Morriss Lovelady. Billie wanted to be a doctor like her father, her uncle, and her grandfather, but money was scarce in the Depression, and she was not able to continue into medicine. Billie was athletic and majored in Physical Education at Montevallo College for Women. She was called "Half Pint" because of her small stature, but she played basketball and soccer. She went to North Carolina after her graduation to complete her training to teach the deaf. She taught the deaf for 41 years and loved her job and the children. While in North Carolina she met and married John Reid Giles. After 4 years they moved to Renfroe, Alabama, and she taught at the Talladega School for the Deaf. She spent many wonderful years in the Concord Methodist Church in Renfroe, Alabama, where she had many lifelong friends. When John Reid died in July, 1978, he had been a County Commissioner for 14 years. Governor George Wallace appointed her to finish John Reid's term, which she did. In 1999 she moved to Birmingham with her sister, Louise. She attended the Bluff Park Methodist Church through her 98th year. Her talents included ceramics, knitting, crochet, needlepoint, sewing and embroidery. She won many ribbons when her children placed her needlework in the Alabama State Fair. One large crewel embroidery ship won first place overall. Billie is survived by her sisters-in-law, Faye Sims and Ginny Sims; her three children, Reid, Susan and Sandra; 11 grandchildren, Jeff Huff, Beth Jordan, Mindy Kilby, Kelly Stark, Cathy Pierce, Johnny Giles, Julie Parkes, Bobby Giles, Betsy Crowley, Debbie Bethers and Bill Giles. She has 24 great-grandchildren and also has many loving nieces, nephews and friends, who will miss her sweet spirit. Graveside service will be held Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at 10:00 AM at Pine Hill Memorial Park, located on US HWY 21 North Talladega, AL. Her son, Reid Giles will officiate. Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega will direct. Many thanks to Shonna Carpenter and to the other wonderful nurses at New Beacon Hospice for their loving Care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Catherine Sims Giles Scholarship at the University of Montevallo, Station 6215 Montevallo AL. 35115. Online condolences can be sent to www.usreyfuneralhome.com