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To honor, recognize and celebrate the life of Ms. Geraldine Hundley Sims and extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends on the occasion of her passing, Thursday, June 6, 2019.
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WHEREAS, Geraldine Hundley Sims affectionately known as Gerri or simply "Big G" to others, passed quietly on Thursday, June 6, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Gerri was a dedicated wife, mother, deaconess and friend - a nurse by profession, and nurturing by nature, however she was big in statue, style and heart; and
WHEREAS, Gerri was born as a coal miner's daughter on March 30, 1929, in Coopers, West Virginia, a mining town near Bluefield, West Virginia - she was the only child from the union of Rucker Hundley and Lula Thompson Hundley, however, they formed a blended family that included six other children; and
WHEREAS, Gerri attended public schools in Coopers, WV - she participated in numerous activities and sports, earning the nickname "Slim," she used her 5'11 frame to excel at basketball. In the summers, Geraldine frequently visited her grandparents, the Thompson's, in Columbus, Ohio - In 1946, Gerri graduated from Bluestone High School in Bramwell, WV with the ambition of becoming a nurse - after high school, she moved to Columbus and attended nursing school at St. Anthony's Hospital earning the credential of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - eventually other family members would follow her to Columbus, including her sister Lucille Brown, cousin Mary Brown, and nephew David Vernon; and
WHEREAS, Geraldine would unite in marriage with Charles W. Sims, a brick mason and independent contractor - united, they would work, play, and pray together - Gerri worked as the office manager of Sims Construction and managed the household - she enjoyed traveling, bowling, community service and morning walks in Franklin Park - she loved her children and actively supported their participation in music, sports, theater and Sunday School; she was a member of and held many offices within the Parent Teacher's Association (PTA) at Pilgrim Elementary, Champion Junior High, and East High School; later when the grandchildren arrived, the "Big G" moniker took on an additional meaning, "Gram;" later in her new role as "Gram" gave her a new lease on life - with an open door and open arms, Geraldine and Charles welcomed all. Whether it was the Friday Night Fish Fry or Sunday Dinners, their home and table was always filled with good food. While she birthed four children, she was a mother to many, and was known for never missing an opportunity to fellowship at the home; and
WHEREAS, Gerri was a servant, serving her neighborhood and church; she was a faithful member of The New Salem Missionary Baptist Church for over 70 years where she served in several capacities, including the Deaconess Board, Nurses Corp., Usher Board and Seasoned Citizens Ministry - she was also a member of the Sims/Cleveland Sunday School class, the food pantry, and the Missionary Society; and
WHEREAS, Gerri recognized the importance of civic responsibility, she served as an election poll worker for over 40 years and she was a dedicated member of the Order of the Eastern Star Electra Chapter #7 in Columbus, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Geraldine Hundley Sims was full of life and lived a full life - Faith and family were her priorities and she encouraged her children to stay strong in the Lord. - she was a beautiful person whose infectious smile and healing spirit touched the lives of all who knew her she is preceded in death by her husband, Charles "Doc" Sims; sisters, Thelma Goods, Marion Vernon, Lucille Brown, and Nellie Thompson; and brothers, Gilbert Hundley and David Hundley. She leaves to cherish her memory sons, Joseph (Jo Ann Robinson) Sims of San Antonio, TX, and Charles R. (Cheryl) Sims of Columbus, Ohio; daughters, Jackie Sims Marbrey of Columbus, Ohio, Crystal Sims-Carrera of Columbus, Ohio, and Carla (Frederic) Sims-Yonnet of Washington, DC; grandchildren, Ronald Marbrey of Orlando, Florida, Kanika Steward, Monique Sims, and Charles Renoir Sims of Columbus, Ohio, Ariel Sims of Cleveland, Ohio, Camila (Chaz) Carrera-Jordan of Columbus, Ohio, and Victor Reid of Springfield, MA; great-grandchildren, Kamryn Marbrey, Christopher, Kendall and Kennedy Steward, and Laila Jordan of Columbus Ohio, Brycen Marbrey of Orlando, FL, and Elijah Joseph and Ymani Reid of Springfield, MA; and a host of relatives and spiritually adopted families and friends, including the Dorsey, Redding and Jones families, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby honor, recognize and celebrate the life of Ms. Geraldine Hundley Sims and extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends on the occasion of her passing, Thursday, June 6, 2019.