Sharon A. Sims

Sharon A. Sims May 20, 1957 – February 4, 2025

Sharon was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1957 to Robert Sr. and Vivian Reed, the youngest of her siblings Robert “Butch” and Dora “Penny”. Precocious (smart beyond her years) and mischievous (bad to the bone) were words that could describe Sharon as a child. Through community connections that her mother had she was able to attend Holy Family Catholic Schools.

There were key moments in her adolescence that stood out. Sharon accepted Christ as her personal Savior and, along with her mother and sister, joined Christ Tabernacle All Nations Apostolic Church In 1970 after the birth of her nephew.

On July 31, 1973, Sharon was injured in a car accident that claimed the lives of six loved ones and left Sharon with a rod in her arm. Later that same year her mother moved Sharon along with seventeen other young people whose parents died in that accident to Cassopolis, Michgian.  Sharon attended Cassopolis High School where she excelled academically, studied bookkeeping and keypunch at Elkhart Career Center and graduated in 1975. Her studies prepared her for a position in the accounting department of The Selmer Company after high school.

Sharon met Michael Sims in 1970 at Christ Tabernacle. They were friends who shared the bond of faith and family. As they grew older and finished high school this friendship became more and the two were married on August 25, 1979 at Mt. Zion Community Chapel. Sharon and Mike started a family of their own, and Robert, Jason and Keli were the light of their lives.

They built a life and a family together, moving from Michigan to Ohio, from Ohio to Pelham, Alabama, and finally back to Cassopolis. Sharon’s favorite role was that of a grandparent. She treasured her time with their grandkids and loved being their grandma, never failing to slip a story in about how incredible Jason, Jada, Jayden, Jasmine, Kennedi and Nathan are.

Mike and Sharon were active members of Christ Tabernacle. In her early years she sang in the choir - “Going Up Yonder” was a favorite. Later she became one of the choir directors and served as a missionary. In her later years she devoted her time and energy to Bible study, teaching Sunday School and prayer.

Sharon worked in retail for many years. Notably she was a bookkeeper for Walgreens. She ended her employment career as an advocate for victims of domestic violence.

Everyone who knew Sharon knew how much she loved to bake and crochet and she was highly skilled at both. At each family or church gathering, everyone looked forward to her Hero Loaf, Amish Friendship Bread, cakes, and cookies. In addition to her gift of baking, each new baby in the family received a handmade afghan.

Sharon will always be remembered for her quick wit and somewhat twisted sense of humor and the way that she tried to find a way to encourage those around her. Her family will always imagine hearing her laugh one more time and will miss her every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Vivian Reed; father in law Robert Roberson; brothers and sisters in love Betty, Eddie, Gabe, Tommie, Bobby and Michelle.

Sharon is survived by her husband of forty-six years Michael Sims, her children Robert Sims, Jason (Melanie) Sims and Keli (Patrick) Winn; her grandchildren Jason, Jada, Jayden, Jasmine, Kennedi and Nathan; her brother Robert (Rita) Reed; and sister Dora “Penny” (Dan) Moore; sisters in law Shirley and Doris; special sisters Charletha and Trazena; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and special friends.

Family and friends will gather Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. for a service in Christ Tabernacle All Nations Apostolic Church, 66100 Tharp Lake Road, Cassopolis, with inurnment to follow in Calvin Center Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

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