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Valerie Jean (Hawkins) Sims of Oxford, AL passed away in her home on July 31, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Valerie was born in Oxford, AL on February 16, 1964, to parents, Dwight and Barbara Hawkins. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Mark Sims; daughters, Brandy Hatchett (Lee) and Debra Brooks (Shane); granddaughter, Journey Walker (Matthew); great-granddaughter, Clementine, who she was excited to meet in a few months; mother, Barbara Hawkins; mother-in-law, Doris Parker; brother, Steve Hawkins (Paula); and her fur babies, Andy and Abby. She is preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Randy and Freda Hawkins; father, Dwight Hawkins; and grandparents, John and Adelle Brewer and Jim and Mamie Hawkins. Pallbearers will be Lee Hatchett, Shane Robinett, Tim Surrett, Kevin Hawkins, and Eric Hawkins. Valerie worked as an Office Manager at Aamco Transmissions for 25 years. She loved music, especially gospel and country, and grew up singing with her father, mother, and brother in gospel quartets. She sang with gospel group, High Praise, traveling all over the South spreading the love of Christ. She loved singing in school and church choirs, at festivals, and passed down her musical talent to her daughters, often joining them to sing on church stages. She had what some refer to as “a perfectly harmonized alto voice”, and even sang at her own wedding! She inherited her love for Alabama football from her family and never missed a game. She was obsessed with Sonic ice and loved spending her vacations camping with her husband and dogs in the Tennessee mountains. She loved her hometown, Oxford, AL with all her heart and said she would never leave. She especially loved downtown Oxford and spent almost every lunch break at Simmons Park on Main Street so she could people watch and admire the old historical homes. She adored her dad and mom and spent most of her last years helping her brother take care of them. A visitation will be held on Friday August 4, 2023, at Miller Funeral Home with a private family viewing from 11:00am - 12:00pm, and friends calling from 12:00pm - 1:00pm. A funeral service will be held in the Toby Miller Chapel at Miller Funeral Home starting at 1:00pm. A graveside service will be held at Dogwood Trail Memorial Gardens in Oxford, Alabama immediately following the service. Valerie was known for her kind heart and compassionate nature. Her faith was her stronghold, and she was not ashamed of her love for the Lord. She had a smile that would light up a room, and even in her last days, her smile did not falter. She was loved by so many and loved them the same. She will be greatlymissed by all who knew her.

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Mrs. Valerie Jean (Hawkins) Sims

February 16, 1964 - July 31, 2023