Carielena Sides Sims was born to loving parents, James Grady and Lena Breedlove Sides, on May 15, 1932 in Langdale, Alabama.
“Carrie” was a quite the softball player and swimmer growing up and was a graduate of Valley High School.
During her early adult years she worked in the “baby department” at Woolsworth Department Store, and an assembly line in a makeup factory – her favorite was the lipstick line. Later she worked in the Spinning and Spooling Department for Lanett Mill. At each job she excelled. Carielena was taught at an early age her many talents in cooking, baking, gardening and homemaking by her mother Lena and dad Grady.
While working fulltime in Lanett Mill and raising a family, Mama made the decision to go back to school at night. She graduated from what was then Troup Tech with straight A’s. This led to an opportunity in the mill office at Lanett. Once again, she was a little Dynamo as a whiz with numbers. If you were out of balance, she was your “go to” gal!
Mama made many wonderful friends in her life, including her work career, her children’s friends, their families and her church life. Carielena was a 50-plus years member of Lanett First Baptist Church. In later years while enduring many physical issues, she was a proud member of the volunteer auxiliary at Lanier Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed being helpful and rekindled many friendships during this time. We were told often that “Carrie’s really good at this.”
The job Mama was most proud of was being Mama to five children. All five would say she excelled in this position, too. She was loving, nurturing, kind – yet she held us to high standards, which we all thank her for today.
Carielena entered heaven’s gate on May 20, 2021. She met her goal for life of being with her Lord and Savior.
Carielena was preceded in death by her two sons, J.R. Sims Jr., and James A Hall, Jr., her husband, Ralph Sims, her parents, siblings and their spouses, Douglas (Lala) Sides, David (Mary) Sides, Bobby (Mary) Sides, and Frances (Harold) Mason and one grandson, Tanner Longshore.
Left to cherish her memory, sweet smile and welcoming arms are: daughters, Carol (Ab) Longshore, Hazel Green, Alabama, Cathy (Billy) Humphrey, Valley, and Elaine (Guy) Rhodes, Opelika, three grandchildren, Abby (Brannon) Winborn, Huntsville, Matthew Humphrey, Valley, Alabam and Merry (Buddy) Cuervo, Fortson, Georgia and two great grands Lily and Anslie Winborn, both of Huntsville.
Mama was also blessed with a much loved and cherished host of nieces, nephews, their families and many wonderful friends.
A graveside service for Carielena was held at Resthaven Memorial Garden in Lanett on Sunday, May 23 at 4 p.m. Rev. Ronnie Jordan officiated.
Memorials can be made to a charity of your choice.
Carielena’s family welcomed friends and loved ones.
From 1st Corinthians 13:13: “Now these remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, Opelika, directed.