Dorothy Sue Sims Wagnon, 1940-2023

Dorothy Sue Sims Wagnon went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Saturday, January 7, 2023. She was born December 27, 1940 in Marion, Louisiana to Jewell Della Brooks Sims and Robbie A. Sims. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Ronald Scott Wagnon; father of her children, George Wagnon; sister, Bobbie Sims Derby and brother-in-law, Sam Derby; sister, Billie Sims Clements and brother-in-law, Bobby Joe Clements.

She graduated from Farmerville High School in Farmerville, Louisiana in 1958. She then graduated from Warner Brown School of Nursing in El Dorado, Arkansas in 1961 and trained under Sisters of Mercy.

She worked as a registered nurse in several areas. While working as surgery supervisor at Bradley County Medical Center, she had a vision and dreamed of building a beautiful, modern nursing facility. She accomplished this by building Wagnon Place Inc.; a one hundred and forty bed facility with a chapel seating one hundred and fifty people. Here, she spent time as director of nursing and many years as administrator.

Sue loved antiques and entertaining friends and family. She enjoyed doing things in our town of Warren. She achieved many accomplishments and was involved in many things throughout her life. She was a member of the Bradley County Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary; a member of the Bradley County Economic Development Corporation Board; a member of First United Methodist Church; lay leader of First United Methodist Church; member of the First United Methodist Women Circle of Faith; and an honorary member of the Warren Rotary Club.

She was president of the Warren Business and Professional Organization, and the Warren Business and Professional Women’s Organization; who honored her with the Woman of the Year in 1986. She also served as president of the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce in 1996 and was chosen as Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2006. She was president of District Six Arkansas Healthcare Association and served on the board for many years, representing District Six. They presented Sue with the George O. Jernigan Jr. Award of Excellence in November 2008, for her loyalty and dedication to the long-term care profession in Arkansas and for her many years of service. 

 Sue was presented In Recognition of Excellent Service, Commitment, and Dedication to Residents and Staff of Wagnon Place, Inc. on February 14, 2006 and November 26, 2008 by family and friends of the residents for her relentless care of their loved ones.      

She is survived by her son, Wiley Clayton Wagnon “Clay” and daughter-in-law, Brenda, of Warren, Arkansas; brother, James Marvin Sims “Jim” and sister-in-law, Debbie, of Farmerville, Louisiana; nieces and nephews, Sam Derby (Kaytee) of Madison, Mississippi, Lisa Derby Tozer (Gregory) of Austin, Texas, Larry Derby (Melissa) of Columbus, Georgia, Austin Clements (Susanne) of Calhoun, Louisiana, Lewis Clements (Connie) of New Edinburg, Arkansas, Mary Clements Clark (Joe) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Angie Clements of Little Rock, Arkansas, Andre Sims Lindsay (Tyson) of Kansas City, Kansas, Angie Sims Davis (Kevin) of Farmerville, Louisiana, and Cindy Sims Roach (Michael) of Marion, Louisiana.

Funeral service was held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Frazer’s Funeral Home. Burial was in Shady Grove Cemetery in New Edinburg, Arkansas. Arrangements were by Frazer’s Funeral Home in Warren, Arkansas.