Trustee James Samuel Simms known as “Sonny” was called home to his heavenly father on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Sonny was born to the late Tillman and Ella Mae Sims on September 4, 1937.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, three sons, Antoine (Cake), James, and Wayne and his brothers Tillman, Robert Henry, William, Herbert, and Theodore, his sisters Jean, Minnie, Aretha, Ethel and Helen.

Sonny married Joanne K. Simms on May 23, 1959 and to this union six children were born, Derrick, Antoine, James, Anthony (Leon), Lisa, and Darrell.

Sonny was educated in the Caroline County Public School System. He continued his education at the University of Richmond School of Business Management Institution achieving a Certificate from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Supervisory Skills Program in 1991. Sonny was a lifetime member of Welcome Lodge #125 in Bowling Green, Virginia.

Sonny was a dedicated, hard-worker. He faithfully worked two full-time jobs for thirty years retiring from the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond in 1995 and later from the Hanover County Public School system in 2000. Sonny also worked several years after retirement for the United States Postal Service and Jericho Baptist Church as Church Sexton.

Sonny was committed to serving, providing for his family and helping others throughout the community. After working hard on two jobs, he still found time for his God as a faithful member of Jericho Baptist Church serving as Trustee and Usher.

He leaves to cherish his memories, wife of 60 years, Joanne Simms, sons Derrick “Rick” (Sherry), Anthony “Leon” (Rea), Darrell (Donna), and daughter Lisa (Alvester), fourteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, sister Vivian Cosby (Ray), brother-in-law Melvin Keys (Francine), and sister-in-law Jacqueline Taylor, devoted friends Deacon Melvin Howard, Deacon Mack Thomas, and Robert Lee Thomas, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.

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james sonny simms program