Russell Alan 'Rusty' Sims, formerly of Du Quoin

Russell Alan "Rusty" Sims, 68, formerly of Du Quoin, passed away at his residence in Kernersville, North Carolina over the Fourth of July weekend 2022.

Rusty was born Dec. 22, 1953 in Du Quoin, the son of Horace Gene and Betty (Emling) Sims. He attended Sacred Heart School, where he played basketball and served as an altar boy. He graduated Du Quoin Township High School in the Class of 1971 and attended John A. Logan College.

While living in Du Quoin, Rusty worked at Blue Bell Packing Co., delivered for Wonder Bread and managed the Elks Club for many years. He moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in early 1987, where he was a customer service agent for American Express. When that office closed, he transferred to the Miami office and worked there for several years.

Rusty then found his dream job working at a golf course/marina in Miami. He later decided to move back to Winston-Salem, where he was employed by the Winston-Salem Journal newspaper as a sports editor and copywriter. When his health began to decline, he did volunteer work at the local humane shelters until he finally settled in Kernersville.

Rusty was a total golf and baseball enthusiast, following the PGA, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. He was also an ardent fan of all Wake Forest sports and could tell you every pro player who graduated from there. His vast knowledge of golfers, baseball players, coaches and managers was truly amazing.

Rusty is survived by his mother, Betty Moss of Du Quoin; one sister, Brenda Sims of Du Quoin; six brothers, Steve (Teri) Sims of Du Quoin, Larry (Dianne) Sims of Du Quoin, Jeff (Noel) Sims of Fenton, Missouri, Don (Christina) Sims of Du Quoin, Chuck (Deanne) Sims of Nashville, Tennessee and Tom (Beth) Sims of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and three stepsiblings, Vicki (Dale) Spencer of Du Quoin, Jaci (Randy) Gregory of Tamaroa and Tommy Joe Moss of St. Charles, Missouri.

Also surviving are a multitude of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; several cousins; his best friends in North Carolina, John Sebastian and Marianne Heath; and his Hemingway cat Romeo.

Rusty was preceded in death by his father; his stepfather Tom Moss; one sister, Janet Sims; several aunts, uncles and cousins; a best friend in North Carolina, Kim Phillips; and his beloved dog, Ricky.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Memorial donations may be made to the Perry County Humane Society, Du Quoin Gold Plate or Masses, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.