Mrs. Helen Elizabeth Sims McLean

November 17, 1927 - November 11, 2020

Helen Elizabeth Sims McLean Our dear Mother, Helen Sims McLean, born November 17, 1927 a native of Cottonton, AL and former Jackson, MS resident, left this earthly world to join our Dad, her beloved Al, in heaven on November 11, 2020 in Josephine, AL. She was the youngest child of Hugh Allen Sims (Granddaddy), a WWI veteran and Vivian Louise Griffis Sims (Mamaw). She was a member of Grace Fellowship PCA church in Foley AL and loved her church and all those they met there. Helen was a talented artist and graduated from Auburn (AL Polytechnic) in 1949, where she met the love of her life Alney C. (Al) McLean. They both received degrees in Interior Design and married after Helen graduated. They loved Auburn and all the lifelong friends they made there. There were costume parties and dinner parties for years with all these friends. They married and lived in Atlanta GA, Auburn AL, and moved to Jackson MS in 1953. In 1963 they opened Navaro-McLean Interiors along with Louis and Ann Navaro. At retirement they moved to Josephine AL. Their first two children were born in Auburn at the Drake Infirmary at Auburn University and the other three children were born after moving to Jackson. Helen, or Bubba as she was called by her grandchildren was a true matriarch to her five children, nine grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. She felt that God blessed her with the “Gift of Love” for family and friends. We all remember the early years on Mamaw’s porch, shucking corn for the evening meal of pan-fried snapper almandine. Mamaw’s cottage in Josephine became Helen and Al’s home for 28 years. Bubba was happiest in her kitchen cooking for family and friends, painting or arranging all the beautiful flowers that grow in Josephine. She was the queen of crab cakes and they were treated as gold. We felt special when she shared them with us. Her front porch was the social center of the neighborhood. She loved all the visits with friends there. She was special to so many, a mentor, counselor, and confidant and “other mother” to many old and young alike. Our mom was blessed to have had family caregiving for her in her home especially in the wake of COVID19. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Al McLean, and grandchild Justin Garrett McLean, sisters Mary Sannes and Margaret Osann. She is survived by children: Cappie Monroe (Tom) of Brookhaven MS., Trey McLean (Phyllis) of Bentonia MS, Bett McLean (Doug Renfro) of Josenphine AL, Molly Rushing (Daniel) of Foley AL, Julie Nester (Willie) of Brandon MS; Grandchildren: Jason McLean of Oxford MS, Clint McLean of Oxford MS, Todd Jeffreys (Mary Elizabeth) of Cleveland MS, Jennifer Garcia (Sal) of Austin TX, Carrie Atkinson (Andy) of Pearl MS, Jamie Latimer of Pearl MS, Wesley Chandler of Theodore AL, and Hannah Renfro of Josephine AL; Great Grandchildren: Magnolia, Lily, Campbell, William, Wright, Margaret, Tiago, Dylan, Lucas, Bonnie, and Jake. We all loved her dearly and she will truly be missed by so many that loved her. Memorials may be sent to Grace Fellowship PCA church at 1740 S Juniper St., Foley AL, Wounded Warriors, or the American Bible Society. Arrangements by Pine Rest Funeral Home. Due to Covid-19, the family will have a private graveside service. We hope to have a life celebration at her repaired home in the future