| Sources |
- [S76] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume III, 1974-1986, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 29 Nov 1984.
James Luther Feezel obituary
- [S73] Rawlings Funeral Home, Book 2, 19 Feb 1969.
Gladys Atchley obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 4 Oct 2013.
Just Plain Talk: End of an era in Newport for Stephanie's Hallmark that closed
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 3 May 2016.
Sims, veteran and builder, honored with bridge dedication
JEFF FARRELL
After earning a Bronze Star for his service in World War II, Robert Sims returned to his family farm in Sevier County and helped oversee construction of dozens of bridges, including the ones that completed I-40's path between North Carolina and Memphis.
So it was appropriate that Tuesday, officials dedicated a bridge in his name in sight of his family's property along Newport Highway. The bridge passing over Flat Creek now bears his name.
It's a fitting tribute to be honored here just in front of his home where he lived most of his life and is interred here at Fox cemetery, said his son, Jeff Sims.
Sims was born in 1925 on that family farm, the youngest of 10 children and only son to John and Hulda Sims. He died in 2013.
He only had an eighth grade education, his son said, but he went on to serve in the medical corps and to oversee some of the most important bridge projects in the state, as a bridge foreman and superintendent for groups including Blalock and Sons.
Robert Sims oversaw the construction of the last bridges built for Interstate 40. When that work was finished, it effectively crossed the state from east to west.
He also oversaw work on the tunnel on the Spur to expand it from one to two lanes.
(The bridge is) a great honor for his military service and for his work as a bridge superintendent and his contributions to the interstate highway system," Jeff Sims said.
The bridge was dedicated after actions by the Sevier County Commission and by the Legislature, and representatives of both were on hand for Tuesday's ceremony.
Because of the rainy weather, the ceremony was moved inside to the garage of Sims's home, where his family proudly set up displays of his service in the military and as a builder.
That included items from his service in the military and back home
You'll see over here a combat medical badge, said state Sen. Doug Overbey, pointing to a table that included the Bronze Star and Sims's old uniform.. He actually had to be in combat to earn that."
We also pay tribute to what he did here in Sevier County, Overbey said, standing before a table that included Sims's old work boots and hard hat.
Shortly after that, the attendees pulled down the tape that masked signs announcing that one small bridge near his old family home now permanently bears his name.
- [S112] Census, 1930.
Name: Robert Sims
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1930
Event Place: District 03, Sevier, Tennessee, United States
District: 0003
Gender: Male
Age: 5
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Race (Original): White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son
Birth Year (Estimated): 1925
Birthplace: Tennessee
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Sheet Number and Letter: 5B
Household ID: 111
Line Number: 91
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: T626
Affiliate Film Number: 2271
GS Film number: 2342005
Digital Folder Number: 004547919
Image Number: 00621
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head John Sims M 47 Tennessee
Wife Huldah Sims F 46 Tennessee
Daughter Gladys Sims F 14 Tennessee
Daughter Mildred Sims F 10 Tennessee
Daughter Wilmer Sims F 8 Tennessee
Son Robert Sims M 5 Tennessee
Brother George Sims M 50 Tennessee
- [S136] Millitary Record.
Name: Robert L Sims
Name (Original): SIMS ROBERT L
Event Type: Military Service
Event Date: 16 Oct 1943
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Event Place: Ft Oglethorpe, Georgia, United States
Residence Place:
Race: White
Citizenship Status: citizen
Birth Year: 1925
Birthplace: TENNESSEE
Education Level: Grammar school
Civilian Occupation: Farm hands, general farms
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Military Rank: Private
Army Branch: No branch assignment
Army Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source Reference: Civil Life
Serial Number: 34886896
Affiliate Publication Title: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946
Affiliate ARC Identifier: 1263923
Box Film Number: 08633.285
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 29 Oct 2013.
April 1, 1925 - October 29, 2013
Resided in Sevierville, TN
Robert Lee Sims, (Bob) age 88 of Sevierville died October 29, 2013 at Sevier County Health Care Center. Robert was a member of Fox United Methodist Church. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother as well as a decorated veteran of World War II, farmer, carpenter, and bridge builder. Robert is preceded in death by his parents, John and Hulda Thomas Sims, sisters: Clessie Seaton, Lynnie French, Estalie Ogle, Ruth Hill, Myrtle Davenport, Gladys Butcher, and Mildred Huff.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Fern Feezel Sims; his two sons, Garry and wife Margurite, and Jeff and wife Nancy Sims; grandchildren, Kristi Atchley and husband Bryan; Tasha Wade and husband Zach; and Shane Sims and wife Jennifer; great grandchildren Ansley and Jordan Atchley, Gretchen and Chaz Wade, and Lillian and Colin Sims; and sisters Ruby Fox and Wilma Woods. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Robert served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II from October 1943 until January 1946 as a Private First Class. His combat duty included England; Belgium, France; Luxembourg, Germany; and Holland. Robert served with Company A 331st Medical Battalion 106th Infantry Lion Division. His company fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He received four battle stars for action in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He earned a Combat Medical Badge, ATO Medal, EAMETO Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. In March of 1991, Robert received a belated Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground combat against the armed enemy during World War II in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater.
Robert retired from Charles Blalock and Sons in July of 1993 with twenty-two years of service as a bridge foreman-superintendent. One of his most memorable projects was lowering the tunnel on the Spur to make it two lanes rather than one. He also supervised construction of numerous bridges and overpasses on Interstate I40, I640, I81, and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Pallbearers will be Bryan Atchley Jr., Eric Harvey, Jason Owens, Dwight Payne, Shane Sims, and Zach Wade. Honorary Pallbearers will be Woody Allen, A.L. Byrd, Burnett Finchum, Larry Hamilton, Al Prudhomme, Johnny Sims, Fred Simms, and Earl Stiles, Tommy Watts, employees of Sims Tractor and Implement Company, and members of the Charles Blalock and Sons family.
The family extends a special thank you to the nurses and support staff at Sevier County Health Care Center. They were compassionate and provided excellent care.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Fox United Methodist Church in care of Golda Coleman, 4105 Newport Highway, Sevierville, TN 37876 or Fox Cemetery in care of Randy Hodge, 639 Layman Drive, Dandridge, TN 37725.
The family will receive friends in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville on Friday from 4:00 6:45 P.M. with the funeral service following at 7PM led by Pastor Ken Lambert. Interment will be at Fox Cemetery at 11AM on Saturday with military honors provided by American Legion Post 104. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)
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