Sharon Sims

Sharon Diane (Rue) Sims, age 80, died in Petoskey, Michigan on January 17, 2023.

Sharon was born on June 29, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to Donald and Helen (Knepper) Rue. Sharon graduated from Edsel Ford High School in 1960, where she met and started dating the love of her life, David Sims, during their senior year. Sharon and David married in 1964.They lived in Ypsilanti and in Sterling Heights in the early years of their marriage. Sharon and David later made their home in Dearborn, Michigan where they raised their two daughters, Christine Sims Hay and Andrea Sims. Sharon retired from working as a paraprofessional in the Dearborn Schools in 1998 and following David’s retirement from teaching in 2000, they retired to Pellston, Michigan.

Sharon participated in many fun activities during her lifetime. She played in a mixed volleyball ball league and pickup softball games. She was a very talented bowler who bowled in a league for many years. She bowled a 279 - almost a perfect game.

Sharon had many interests and hobbies. She created 3-dimensional cut paper pictures, learned calligraphy, and made and sent cards to friends and family.

Sharon believed in being in service to others. She created a strong family with Sunday night dinners, strong support for all her girls’ and grandchildren’s many activities, and hosting get togethers to celebrate and support family members. She loved her family fiercely. During her career, Sharon worked with young children to teach remedial reading, and also worked with physically handicapped students. Sharon loved supporting children, so when David and Sharon joined New Hope Methodist Church, Sharon and her friends created the JLC, Jesus Lifting Children. The JLC was a mission to provide clothing, school supplies, and backpacks to the local northern Michigan children.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Helen Rue, sister Judy Gibson, and beloved granddaughter Catherine Hay.

Sharon is survived by her husband, David Sims of Pellston, Michigan; her daughters Christine Sims Hay (Curtis) of Petoskey, Michigan and Andrea Sims both of Northville, Michigan; and grandsons Cameron Hay of Kansas City, Missouri and Curtis Hay Jr of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

We welcome all friends and family to come together to celebrate Sharon’s life by sharing their favorite memories, stories, and pictures. We will come together to laugh, cry, and remember the joy Sharon brought into our lives.

The Celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 11:00 am at New Hope United Methodist Church, 4516 US-31, Levering, MI 49755. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 am until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow.

Sharon’s favorite color was yellow. Please wear yellow or any bright color to celebrate her life.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held in the Dearborn area this Spring, time and date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, please send Memorial contributions to New Hope United Methodist Church for the Jesus Lifting Children mission. Thank you.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Cor 13: 4-13

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