Marlene A. (Prime) Sims

Marlene Annette Prime Sims of Library, Pennsylvania, peacefully transitioned on Tuesday, August 29, 2024, following lengthy and courageous health struggles. Her delicate beauty and petite stature belied an uncommon strength and resilience. Among those that mourn her passing, are cherished sons and their families that she held most dear — James “Bookum” (the late Harriett Alston), Floyd (Sharon), Robert Glenn (Denita), Sterling (Joyce), Darrin, and Derek Fleming. Marlene was born to her beloved parents — the late Dorothy Poythress and Edward (Ted) Prime in Westland, Pennsylvania. Her siblings included her late sister Margaret Prime Dent and brother Edward George Prime Jr. She was also preceded in death by former spouses Willie James Sims (James Perry) and the late George Green. Her ancestry is a testament to courage and perseverance, tracing back to early U.S. colonies in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Marlene’s legacy is imbued with the remarkable journey of her great-grandparents, Elisa Jane Gibson, born in 1828 of Irish descent and Elias Proctor, a man born into slavery. Together, they forged a path for their fourteen children, many of whom found refuge and new lives in Pennsylvania and Canada via the Underground Railroad That spirited legacy was apparent throughout Marlene’s early years, including receiving her diploma from Hickory High School in Westland, Pennsylvania, and through decades of prideful domestic work that she practiced as a service employee in regional hotels and private homes. Apart from a year residing in Long Beach, California, Marlene spent the greater part of her life in the favored seventeen square miles of Library, Pennsylvania. It was her true home, and she delighted in the proximity of family, dear friends, her Mt. Zion Baptist Church family, and the iconic neighborhood hangout — “Seabolt’s.” Yet, it was her distinguished role of mother that best reflected her remarkable life. After all, it is exceedingly rare to receive a deeply affectionate nickname that is both a noun and a verb! Marlene’s sons interchangeably referred to her as Mommy or “The Raise.” It is the literal definition of the love and care she poured into each of them. In her later years, Marlene reaped the rewards of “raising” six boys! She was an integral part of their adult lives as she witnessed and celebrated weddings, births, graduations, vacations, and countless moments of casual gatherings that only required a quorum of Sims to ignite into raucous and celebratory revelry. Marlene had a joyful connection to classic TV westerns from Big Valley to Bonanza, and she loved viewing her favorite episodes in a setting that was at least 80 degrees or more. These unaffected customs were legendary and preferably accompanied by a favorite carbonated soda, Perry’s legendary ribs and coleslaw, or a fish sandwich and fries from “Eat and Park” — often topped off with a slice of Bethel Bakery cake. She also enjoyed the challenge of a good word search puzzle and long phone calls or front porch summits with lifelong friend and neighbor, Audrey Broadus. While cooking for six boys demanded more efficiency than innovation, her sweet potato pies were a treasured treat. Marlene was a gift of love everlasting. She also leaves to celebrate her life: a circle of beloved grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. where a Going Home Service will be held from noon - 1 p.m. Flowers may be sent to David J. Henney Funeral Home, 6364 Library Road (RT 88), Library. Burial will be in Finleyville Cemetery. Donations may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 3801 Mountain Road, South Park, PA 15129. www.davidhenneyfuneralhome.com

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