Obituary for Minnie Bell Sims Minnie Davis Sims was born June 25, 1947, in Indianola, Mississippi to the late Elder Birkett Davis, Sr. and District Missionary Delcia Davis. She was the fourth child in a family of 15 children--10 girls and 5 boys. She was a member of New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ (COGIC) under the pastorate of the late Elder Isadore Slack. Minnie grew up in the church as a member of the Sunshine Band, Sunday School, Young People Willing Workers, and various other units, auxiliaries and bands. She accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age. She attended Carver Elementary School and graduated from Gentry High School, Indianola, in 1967. While in grade school, Minnie found her niche early on as a seamstress, beginning by sewing clothes for her and her sisters' dolls. She matriculated at Mississippi Valley State University and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science with a minor in Mathematics in December 1974, graduating in May 1975. During the summer of 1975 Minnie moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, with her two young daughters, Barri and Evelyn Gemayne (Geannie). She began teaching in the Cincinnati Public School System, but later realized teaching was not her passion. Her heart and desire was to be a seamstress; so she became a phenomenal entrepreneur in her own right. She operated her business, Minnie B's Fashions, from her home, where she designed, sewed, and altered clothing for people from all walks of life. She designed and made wedding gowns; bridal party dresses; women's suits, dresses and pants; men's suits; prom dresses; children's clothing; and sleep wear. She also made men's denim jeans. Oh, she was a professional seamstress. She mastered that sewing machine. Her family will indeed miss her and her expertise in that area. On April 30, 1979, Minnie married her best friend, Mr. William Sims. They became members of the Temple of Hope COGIC under Elder Willie D. Mack, Cincinnati, OH, and later Christ Temple COGIC in Hamilton, OH. She was a faithful and active member of the church, serving as a member of the Mothers' Board, president of the Sewing Circle, Sunday School teacher, Evangelist Missionary, and former District Missionary of the Cincinnati-Dayton District, Ohio Northwest Jurisdiction. They later joined the Love Chapel Church of God in Christ in Dayton, under Pastor Malcolm Heard. Her husband, Elder Sims, preceded her in death on December 25, 2014. One of Minnie's greatest joys was the early childhood care of her adored grandchildren, Rosha Lewis and Errol and Elexis Richardson. She molded and shaped their characters by guiding them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Minnie came to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Pearlie and Pastor Mose Walker in Memphis, TN, in 2015, who diligently assisted with her health and spiritual needs. In departing this life into eternity on May 14, 2016, she leaves to celebrate her life her loving mother, District Missionary Delcia Davis of Indianola, MS; two loving daughters, Barri Richardson and Evelyn (Amani) Whittaker of Cincinnati, OH; her grandchildren, Rosha Lewis and great granddaughter, Amiyah, of Memphis, TN; Errol and Elexis Richardson of Cincinnati; and KiAire Whittaker, Cincinnati; 9 sisters: Lue Reaver Brown, Memphis; Lue Bertha (Jarrett) Lott, Detroit, MI; Leola (Sandy) Thomas, Las Vegas, NV; Pearlie (Elder Mose) Walker, Memphis; Ceola (Jerry) Atterberry, Monticello, MS; Evelyn (Elder Michael) Brown, Detroit, MI; Char Lillian (Lewis) Virgil, Walkersville, MD; Cornelia (Elder Edgar) Holman, Greenville, MS; and Kathy (Ivory) Bourage, Fort Mitchell, AL. She also leaves to cherish her memories 5 brothers, William Birkett Davis, Jr., and Elder Samuel (Beulah) Davis of Memphis; Lorenzo and Tony Davis of Indianola, MS; and Reverend DeWayne Davis of Minneapolis, MN; 2 sisters-in-law, L. Juanita Anderson and Ovella, and 3 brothers-in-law, John, Marvin and Mark Anthony Sims all of Cincinnati; 2 aunts, Mrs. Lillie Markham, and Mrs. Willie Hubbard of Chicago, IL; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and her church family from Love Chapel Church of God in Christ in Dayton, OH. Visitation from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2016 at Serenity Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Greater Victory Temple COGIC, 4181 E. Mallory Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111. Burial in Dayton National Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio. Serenity Funeral Home, 1638 Sycamore View Rd., Memphis, TN 38134, Tel. (901) 379-0861 Cincinnati arrangements by Walker Funeral Home, 1025 E. McMillan Street, Cincinnati, OH 45206. Phone 513.251.6200.

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