Submitted by: Dan Rich
Queen Esther Sims
South Bend Tribune 12/14/2007
SOUTH BEND - Mrs. Queen Esther Sims, 85, departed this
life on Saturday, Dec. 5, while in the Valley View Nursing
Facility. She was born in Columbus, Mississippi, to Josh Staples
and Irene Perry. Queen accepted Christ at an early age.
In February 1947 Queen united in holy
matrimony with James A. Sims in South Bend. James and Queen
established their membership with the Greater Saint John
Missionary Baptist Church in 1947 under the pastorate of the late
Rev. Doctor Bernard L. White Sr. They both served there
faithfully until their health failed. Queen served as a
deaconess, member of the Gospel Chorus, she was the founder of
the Echoes of Glory, and was a member of the South Bend Choral
Union. She also liked to perform in concert, with selections of
Negro Spirituals being her specialty. Queen loved her church and
church family. Among her many activities, Queen loved to cook,
sew, refurbish furniture, upholstery and shop for antiques.
Queen was preceded in death by her parents;
husband, James A. Sims; a brother, Sam Perry; and by a sister,
Annette Wilson. She leaves to cherish her memory an aunt, Mendora
Trotter of South Bend; Milton H. (Linda) Malone
whom she reared, Michigan City; a stepson, Gilbert (Ann) Marsh
of South Bend; a sister-in-law, Carrie Malone of South Bend; a
host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces,
nephews and friends; and a very special friend, Mrs. Adline Jones
of South Bend.
Funeral services for Mrs. Queen Esther Sims
will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, in the Greater St.
John Missionary Baptist Church, with burial following at
Riverview Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in
the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's
Mortuary.