Clarence A. Sims died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. He was 79.

Mr. Sims owned and operated Mercury Marine for 40 years, retiring in 2004. He attended Vicksburg Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus A. and Rosie New-some Sims; five sisters, Zinnia Pearl Edwards, Retha Jennings, Helen Sims, Vassie Sims and Neicie Sims; and three brothers, Hilden Sims, Walker Sims and Secal Sims.

Mr. Sims is survived by his wife, Ethel L. Sims of Vicksburg; four daughters, Linda Fay Sims and Belinda Lane Mitchell, both of Vicksburg, Linda Carol McIntyre of Drew and Jacqueline “Beth” Merrit of Bowling Green, Ky.; four sons, Kenneth L. Sims of Madison, Donnie L. Sims of Vicksburg, Bobby Lane of Clinton and Bryan Lane of Senatobia; one sister, Willie Self of Greenville; one brother, Everett Sims of Greenville; and 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home with the Revs. Erick Welch and Reggie Crawford officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Donald Oaks, Riley Harper, Joe Bonelli, James Stinson, Ben Hand and Rowdy Nosser.

Honorary pallbearers will be Lloyd Patton Sr., Otha Mendrop, Paul Barrett, Martin Pace, John Hand, John Benge and Dr. Paul Pierce.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1830 Livingston Road, Jackson, MS 39213 or to the Alzheimer’s Mid-Mississippi Chapter, 1900 Dunbarton Drive, Suite 1, Jackson, MS 39216.