The Life of Sister Mary K. Sims
Sister Mary K. Sims was born on November 29, 1931 in Carlton, GA. She moved to Atlanta in 1951, and united with the Beulah Baptist Church. In April of 1955 she and her late husband, Ira Sims Jr. celebrated the birth of their first child, Anthony. In September of 1956 their second son, Michael was born.
Sister Sims has always put “God and Family” first in every aspect of her life. She raised her two sons as a single parent, and worked hard to ensure that their needs were met. It was not easy, but she was always determined to make sure that they would be the best that they could be in all of their endeavors. She drew her strength from her unwavering faith in God.
For 42 years Mrs. Sims worked for the Atlanta Linen Company. She received several awards and recognition for her efforts. She retired in 1996.
During her 73 years as a member of Beulah, Sister Sims became a “Pillar” of the church. She was well known for her friendly and loving spirit, and adopted dozens of members as her son or daughter. She is affectionately known as “Mama Sims”. In 1975 she became the co-founder of Beulah’s Usherette Ministry, along with her best friend, the late Sister Gloria Jackson. is ministry provided an opportunity for young ladies of the church to serve as Ushers. It remains as one of Beulah’s strongest ministries today. As an Usher, she represented what Beulah is all about. She always made those entering the sanctuary feel welcome. To this day, several members of Beulah share how much Mama Sims embraced them when they united with the church.
She served as a Sunday School Teacher for the Beginners Class for over 51 years. is class consisted of young children (ages 3 to 5) who as they grew into adulthood, always pointed out that Mrs. Sims was their Sunday School Teacher and had a great impact on their lives. In 2005 she retired from teaching. In 2007 e Beginners Class was renamed “ e Mary Sims Beginners Class”.
Other ministries Sister Sims served included Sacrifice Usher Board, Combined Usher Board, Service Guild, Bereavement Committee, Courtesy Guild, Sanctuary Sunday School Class, Honorary member of the Alfonza Campbell Choir. She absolutely loved her church and her Pastor, Reverend Jerry Black. Her family and friends knew to never call her on Saturday nights between 7:00PM and 8:00PM, as she let nothing interrupt her from watching Beulah’s Saturday night television broadcast.
Mama Sims loved and cherished all of her family, and enjoyed gatherings and special occasions where she took pride in taking photos. Besides family, her most enjoyable pastime was Baseball. She was one of the Atlanta Braves biggest and most loyal fans. It was always a very exciting time when she would attend games with her sons. When there wasn’t a baseball game on television, she enjoyed watching Family Feud.
The Life of Sister Mary K. Sims
Mama Sims favorite scripture was: Psalms 121: 1-2. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
Mama Sims was preceded in death by her parents, Worthem and Ruby Kimble; six sisters, Susie Gray, Annie Ree Goolsby, Eldora Cummings (James), Alice Kimble, Essie Lee Mills and Martha Kimble; three brothers, Marvin (Anneliese), George (Maxine) and William Kimble; grandson, Michael Armand Sims; niece, Patricia Anderson (Michael) and lifelong and closest friend, Mrs. Gloria Jackson.
She leaves to cherish her memory two devoted sons, Anthony Sims (Cynthia) and Michael Sims (Rosemary); three grandchildren, Andrea Varner, (Michael) Brandon Sims (Tiffany) and Marcus Sims; five great grandchildren; Zion, Zoé, Zamir, Zaire and Madison; six nieces; Jean Kimble, Mary Avery, Leslie Marie Kimble, Anquinette Mills, Karen Jackson (Anthony) and Lisa Cooper (Ray); nephew, Reverend James Goolsby (Gloria); great niece, Ameerah Mosley; great nephew, Christopher “CJ” Goolsby; Goddaughter; Mrs. Shaunta Adams (Donald); special friends, Ruby Ragsdale, Barbara Hunter, Christine Pless and Cassondra Petty; adopted daughters, Marie Lewis, Faye Vinson and Kim Lee-Lewis; lifelong family friends, e Jackson, Moore, Hurst, Carlton and Norris families.
Prelude
Processional
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
New Testament
Order of Service
Prayer
Musical Selection
Reflections
e Sons’ Tribute
Musical Selection
Eulogy
Acknowledgements
Recessional
Reverend Duane Jackson, Pastor
Springfield Baptist Church, Greenville, Georgia
Reverend Laurence Parison, Minister of Pastoral Care
Beulah Missionary Baptist Church
Reverend James Goolsby (Nephew), Pastor
First Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia
Sister Kyana Elder
Sister Louise Gordan
Usherette Board & Service Guild
Reverend Mark Seals, Minister of Christian Education
Beulah Missionary Baptist Church
Doctor Debra Moore
Family Friend
Deacons Anthony and Michael Sims
Sister Kyana Elder
e Reverend Doctor Jerry D. Black, Sr.
Sister Andrea Sims-Varner (Granddaughter)
Interment
South-View Cemetery
1990 Jonesboro Road Southeast Atlanta, Georgia 30315
Family and friends will gather for repast following the internment in the Mary White Carlton Fellowship Hall
Beulah Missionary Baptist Church
Pallbearers
e Board of Deacons
Beulah Missionary Baptist Church
F lower Ladies
e Service Guild and Usherette Board
Beulah Missionary Baptist Church
Acknowledgements
e family of Sister Mary K. Sims wishes to thank each and everyone of you for all the kind deeds performed to make our burden easier to bear. Special thanks to the staff at Christian City Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for your superb care and love shown. We appreciate the continued support from everyone who always made her visits heartfelt. May God continue to bless and keep you all.
Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway
Decatur, Georgia 30034
(404) 241-5656
is program was designed and printed in loving memory of Mama Sims by Papered Wonders, Inc.
2 Corinthians 5:8