We cannot control when hardships in life happen, but we can control how we overcome them. Born in 1935 while the Great Depression was in full swing, Dudley M. Sims had no idea the incredible life full of obstacles as well as blessings he would live. Through a series of stories and completed by his wife, Andrea K. Sims, after his passing, Overcoming the Odds of Life illuminates the strength he had to be an overcomer, the love he and his wife shared that she continues to feel to this day, and the unforgettable legacy he left behind. Witness his journey as he: - Started school when World War II began - Got his first job at the age of nine as a car hop - Received the second lobectomy ever performed after having tuberculosis - Moved to New Orleans where he met the love of his life - Accepted Jesus as his Savior in 1957 - Formed many companies, union and non union - Became one of the largest contractors of plumbing, heating and air conditioning around With his passing in 2007, Andrea finished what Dudley had started to pass on the inspiration of this wonderful and kind man, father, and husband. His story is one that proves through hard work and never giving up, one can accomplish great things in life with God as one's Helper. Andrea K. Sims grew up in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. At the age of seventeen, she moved to New Orleans where she met Dudley. They moved to Centerville, Louisiana after they married and raised three children together. They were together for fifty-three years before Dudley passed. At the age of ninety, she was inspired to finish her late-husband's book in hopes that, with the Lord's help and a lot of hard work, she could show people that they can accomplish just about anything they want to.