Sharon Sue Hearty-Sims (nee Franklin), 68 passed away peacefully surrounded by her family the evening of February 4, 2016 in her home.

Born in Peoria, Illinois on December 10, 1947 to Parents: JK Franklin and Ruby L. (nee: Linzy). Ruby L. later married Willie Hall who helped raise Sharon from a young age.

Sharon lived the majority of her adult life in Texarkana, TX. There Sharon worked as a private nursing assistant and took care of the elderly in their homes. She moved back to Illinois in 2002 to help the family take care of their ailing mother. Later she was employed by Camp Wartburg in Waterloo, IL as a cook. Her last place of employment was working on a factory line at LandShire in Belleville, IL before finally enjoying a few years of her retirement.

Ms. Sims was a member of Hope Christian Church in Columbia, IL

Sharon always tried to live life to the fullest. There was not much she would not try if given the chance. As a young woman she raced cars at the drag strip, enjoyed fishing for shrimp, and loved to travel at any given opportunity. Later in life Sharon married Larry Sims. They loved playing pool and joined a washer team at George Pub, in East Carondelet, IL. She loved meeting people and ready with a smile for everyone who wanted to share a cold beer and a good laugh. Wednesday night “wing nights” at Good Tymes in Dupo with her friends were special to her. Sharon loved her family, her friends, country music, and that good old rock n roll always put the bounce in her step. She loved cooking for family and friends any chance she got. She was always ready with a story to share for a laugh or two.

Ms. Sims was preceded in death by her Spouse: Mr. Larry Sims; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie (Ruby) Hall; her 2 sons, James William (JW) Hearty and Billy Joe Hearty and her half-brother, William Cooper.

She is survived by her Daughter: Tina (Chuck) Metrolis of East Carondelet, IL., her son: Bryan (Shannon) Hearty of New Baden, IL.; Her four siblings: James K. (Patricia) Franklin of Troy, IL; Nora (James) LaCroix of E. Carondelet, IL; Kevin (Terry) Hall of Hazelwood, MO; Keith (Marsha) Hall of Collinsville, IL; Nine Grandchildren: Daniel (Jessie) Morrell, Dustin Jacob Anthony, Aron Lee Hearty, Caytlian (Justin) Downing, Kari Lee Hearty, Alyson Marie Hearty, Zoe Sue Hearty, Klover Faith Hearty and Ira Mikal McDonald; Five Great Grandchildren: Adrian Cortez Jones, Kyndall Alyssa Vandier Morrell, Daniel Joseph Morrell, Colton Lee Watkins-Hearty, Kamber Grace Downing., and twenty nieces and nephews.

She will be missed deeply by her family, friends, and her special companion friend Jim Bettis.

Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 at Hope Christian Church in Columbia, IL at 6 pm.