Oscar Mims Obituary

Beloved family patriarch, devoted friend, dedicated "old school" physician, and Thomasville resident for greater than six decades, Dr. Oscar McLendon Mims, Sr, age 102, died peacefully on Sunday, September 29. Born December 7, 1921 in Florence, South Carolina, he was the youngest son of parents Leon Heberden Mims, Sr. and Pearl McLendon Mims. He graduated as a Phi Beta Kappa honoree from the University of South Carolina where he also was a member of the tennis team.
As a member of Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity, Dr. Mims completed his medical degree at Duke University, where he met and married Thomasvillian Edythe "Candy" Cannady, who received her BSN and RN from the same university. They were married in Durham, NC in March of 1946, the day Candy received her degree. The couple lived in Charleston, SC, Black Mountain, NC, Winston Salem, NC, Nashville, TN, and Dublin, GA while Dr, Mims was completing his residency and commitments as a Navy doctor, in Veterans Administration hospital settings. Happily, in July of 1952, as a Specialist in Internal Medicine, Dr. Mims joined Dr. Ernest Wahl's practice and settled his family in Thomasville, GA where Dr. Mims assumed many medical and community responsibilities as he and Candy raised three children.
In the many years of his active Thomasville life, Dr. Oscar was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a longtime member of the Archbold Board of Trustees ( and only one of three individuals ever selected to be an Archbold Honorary Life Trustee), an active member of the Thomasville Rotary Club for 69 years, and probably the most senior supporter of many nonprofit organizations such as the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, the Thomas County Historical Society, Thomasville Landmarks, Birdsong, Tall Timbers, and many others. Testimony to his humble, quiet, hardworking nature, he dedicated a life of service to his patients, as one of the last medical practitioners to make house calls throughout his medical career and to attend patients on weekends. Some local "Romeos" (Retired Old Men Eating Out), Coffee Club members, golfers, tennis and bridge players would also testify to Dr. Mims' enthusiasm for maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle...interesting to note that his drivers' license would have expired in 2026....
He is survived by his children and their spouses Leslie Ann Tichich (Richard) of Asheville, NC, Oscar McLendon Mims, Jr, (Vicki), and Frances Louise Parker (Richard). Oscar is also survived by his three grandchildren and their families: Meryl Mims and Scott Kerklo (daughter: Edythe Kerklo), Trey and Ellie Mims (daughter: Charlotte Mims), and Colleen and Shawn Molina. Dr. Mims' immediate family members will gather for a private farewell as was his request. Allen and Allen Funeral Home is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of donations to the Archbold Foundation, 910 S. Broad St., Thomasville, GA 31792 for the Edythe Cannady Mims nursing scholarship or to a charity of your choice.
His friends and family will miss him greatly as he joins his wonderful wife Candy who preceded him in death...looking forward to their Happy Hours!