Ms. Mary Hazel Sims Wiggins of Cape Coral, Florida, died Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Healthpark Medical Center in Fort Myers, Florida.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of Jerusalem Grove Baptist Church in Smithville, Georgia.  The burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the Lord called Mary Hazel Sims Wiggins home from her labor to rest.

Mary Hazel Sims Wiggins was born on May 31, 1943, in Atlanta, Georgia to Thomas and Bessie Mae Sims, who preceded her in death. Her maternal grandparents, Leslie and Annie Clara Dodson, a brother, Clarence Melvin Sims and brother-in-law,  Luther "Buddy" Ferguson also preceded her in death.

In 1955, Mary's family moved to their home in Smithville, Georgia where they settled.  At an early age Mary joined the Jerusalem Grove Baptist Church where she was baptized. Once she left Smithville, she became a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Temple Hills, Maryland. Upon relocating to Cape Coral, Florida she joined the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Myers, Florida where she served until her passing.

Mary received her early education in the Lee County School System where she graduated in 1961 from Lee County  Training High School in In Leesburg, Georgia. After graduation she relocated to Washington, DC, where she received a bachelor's  degree from The City College of DC and shortly after began   working with the Federal Government from which she retired after 45 years of employment.

One of Mary's greatest accomplishments was the birth of daughter whom she loved dearly.

Her love for Christ was demonstrated through her loving spirit, kindness, love and devotion towards her family, friends and church. As a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church, she served as a member of the choir and at Friendship Baptist Church she served in several capacities which included Senior Choir member, Adult Sunday School Class #3, and Director of the Kitchen  Committee. She was also a member of the Red Hat Club.  Mary had a passion for singing, spending time with her family (especially her grandsons), friends, traveling and shopping.

Those left to cherish memories of her life are her loving and devoted daughter, Kelly N. Sims (Arlington, VA); grandsons: Sgt. Daniel M. Jones (Rapid City, SD-USAF), Myles D. Jones (Arlington, VA); siblings: Annie S. Bursey Ferguson (Lehigh Acres, FL), Gwendolyn Jackson (Lyons, GA), Lawrence T. Jackson Sr. (Smithville, GA), and Sabrina L. Angry Barnes (Smyrna, GA); sister-in-law: Kathy Sims (San Diego, CA) whom she loved as a sister; special nephews and nieces: Timothy Bursey, Idris Walters, Salina Weddle, Lawrence Jackson, Jr., Sandford Jackson, Natalie Jackson, Selina Knutas, Alicia Trapezanidou, Jamila Axson and Ronald Barnes, III.; special great nephews and nieces: Sheray Lewis, Lemuel Lewis, Keith Bursey, Idris Walters, Jr., Jaylen Walters, Mya Hills and Peyton Weems; special cousins: Mary Chambers and Jessie Angry; special friends: Dreama Thompson, Donald and Brenda Butler and Family, Mildred Bryson, Pamela Dickerson, Marion Gillis, Leslie Wilson, Shirley Buchanan and Family, Cynthia Jeffreys, Sheri Miller, Denise Ferris,  the Lee County Training School Class of 1961. A host of other family and friends also survived.