Kemela (Sims) Hicks, “Kem” age 67, of Martinsville, passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at IU Health in Indianapolis following recent health issues. Kem was born in Franklin Indiana on August 24, 1951, to the James K. and Elva, “Bonnie” (Voris) Sims of Greenwood, In. As a child, she moved with the family to Elwood Indiana, where she learned to fish and hunt with her grandfather and uncles.
She also loved horses and horseback riding and participated in 4 H. She graduated from Frankton High school in 1970 and then moved to Greenwood Indiana, where she married David Hicks, whom she later divorced. During her marriage with David, she learned to play guitar, including 12 string and play the harmonica, to accompany David’s banjo. Together they played bluegrass music to friends and family at every opportunity.
Kem worked various jobs, loved landscaping and turned that passion, into a business which she ran for many years. She enjoyed woodworking , collecting antiques and living independently. At retirement, she moved to Patton Lake, northwest of Martinsville, where she continued her love of fishing and landscaping around the property.
Her home overlooked the beautiful Patton Lake, where she could watch the lake activity from the comfort of her porches including watching the bald eagles, who nested there. She was very devoted to her family and would do anything for them. This was exemplified when Kem became a bone marrow donor her sister Sherry, who had developed bone cancer, saving her sister’s life.
10 years later, Kem’s own health began to fail and she passed away on Sherry and her twin sister, Terrys’ birthday. The priest who gave Kem her last rights and anointment, said, “This is not just a sad day, but it was also a happy day, because the twins now share a birthday with Kem. It is Kem’s birthday in heaven and the twins birthday on this earth”.
Kem is survived by her Mother, Elva “Bonnie” Sims of Elwood, 3 sisters, Vicky (husband Glen) Ryan of Elwood, Sherry (husband John) Pace of Elwood, and Terry (husband John) Stigall of Bloomington, brother, Keith Sims of Elwood, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many cousins. Kemela was preceded in death by her father, James K. Sims. Funeral service will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Dunnichay Funeral Home with Father Dan Duff officiating.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Dunnichay Funeral Home, 1113 S. Anderson St. Elwood, IN 46036. Burial will take place on at St. Joseph Cemetery following the memorial service Online condolences can be given at www.
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