It is with much love, pride, and admiration that the AEHC Sevier County Extension Homemakers Clubs chooses Myrtle Sims as “Woman of the Year”.
Myrtle was born July 31, 1934 in the Mt. Ida community about five miles southeast of De Queen, Arkansas. Just out of high school, she worked at The De Queen Bee. In 1953, she married Ray Sims. They bought a house in the Mt. Ida area and it was during this time that Myrtle began going to Extension Homemakers Club (EHC) meetings with her mother-in-law.
Ray was inducted into the military shortly after their marriage. They were stationed at Fort Ord in California for the duration of his tour of duty but lived in Monterey, California, a few miles away.
When they returned to Arkansas, they settled in Hot Springs where he worked for Weyerhaeuser, eventually moving back to the De Queen area. Myrtle was active in AEHC while in Hot Springs and after moving back to De Queen. She and Ray raised their three children in the area and were both active in civic, school, and church activities.
Myrtle held many offices in AEHC over the years, being president, vice president, and secretary in her local club and also held a state office for a year. She presently holds the office of vice president in the De Queen Homemakers Club.
Using her many talents, Myrtle created the winning design of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council logo, which continues to be used today.
While Ray raised a beautiful garden each year, Myrtle was very involved in canning and preserving. She has always been a willing and respected judge at area fairs and was able to judge in many categories. In addition to her home and family activities, she is an accomplished artist, winning many awards over the years and holding offices in the Cossatot Arts and Crafts Association.