"Her Moment in Time"
Vermel Theresa Green Hannon Sims
AKA- "Bunch"
Author: Vermel G. Sims
Born December7, 1933. Parents Blanchard O. Green Sr. and Sylici Mae Wilson Green of West Jacksonville. I attended West Jacksonville Elementary; there, I was crowned "Queen." Junior High School, I attended A.L. Lewis where I sang in the choir under the direction of Alpha Moore, I also played on the Girl's Basketball Team.  I went on to attend Stanton High School and was a member of the Rover Girls Club and the Stanton Drill Team and proudly graduated, class of 1951from Stanton, home of the "Blue Devils."

I attended West Friendship Baptist Church, baptized at the age of 12 and was the Sunday School Secretary and B.Y.P.U. as well, as a Junior Usher and a Girl Scout Leader. I also enjoyed music lessons under the direction of Mrs. Minnie Turner, our church musician. Mrs. Turner passed when I was 18, at that time, with limited talent, I was elected to be the church musician. The Junior Choir was then formed and continued to grow under the direction of Pastor R. L. Wilson.  The choir went on the radio on Friday nights for two years, our announcer was Deacon Robert L. Williams.

I was a member of the Sunshine Band group that was organized by Theresa Williams; I served as secretary.  Our church was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Association, a part of the Florida General Baptist Convention.  Mrs. Williams used to take us to the convention they meet in April of every year, my daughter, Monica promised to take me in 2026, but for obvious reasons, unfortunately, I will not be in attendance. One highlight for me was that Mrs. Williams would take us to the convention on the train to Miami, most of our fathers worked on the railroad.  The convention had just moved to Miami, we would take mops, brooms, and buckets to help.  We were very happy.  We later joined the Red Circle of the State; we had fun.  There I began to grow deep into the convention, later I was elected as President of the Red Circle.

In April of 1963 Vermel and Gartrel began their lives together. To that union two children were born Gartrel L. Sims Jr. and Monica D. Sims. To that union was added Deborah Johnson (deceased), Milton Hannon Jr. (deceased). Kerri Sims-Luke, Joyce Sims(deceased) Sha'Ron Sims, Michael Sims (deceased), After marriage to Rev. Sims, he was called to pastor New Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Sanford Florida, we stayed there for ten years, there I continued to work in the convention, Mrs. Naomi Bentley appointed me as the Third Vice President/Director of the Youth Department.  I traveled with the convention while I was with the Emmanuel Association. I was also crowned" Queen of the Blue Group" I began my travel with the State Department; I was elected Director of the Young People Department of the State Convention for the Florida General Convention.  Mrs. Bentley kept me busy; I was a member of the Southern Region Young People Convention; we traveled all over the United States.  I even carried one-hundred-twenty-five young people to the Bahamas for the convention. That was the most exciting trip ever, to see the smiles on those young people of the Bahamas when they saw us was priceless.

I served 4 years as the Red Circle Directress and State Director of Young People Department for 12 years.  I enjoyed the young people.  God was so good to me, he blessed me to be able to perform the duties and tasks required of these positions, thank you LORD!  My latest assignment from the Lord has been President of The Baptist Minister Wives of Northeast Florida and Adjacent Counties.I served as organist for thirty-five years at West Friendship, ten years in Sanford, Florida and finally, forty years at Mount Zion Baptist Church of Greenland, Florida. I enjoyed it, it was a pleasure.

GOOD-BYE, I LOVE Y'ALL   "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL"
I am preceded in death by my parents, husband, Rev. Dr. Gartrel Sims Sr., my daughter, Deborah Hannon Johnson and my son, Milton Hannon Jr. I leave to mourn a devoted son Gartrel L. Sims Jr. (Takita) and daughter, my caretaker, Monica D. Sims (Scottie) Kerri Sims-Luke, Joyce Sims(deceased), Michael Sims(deceased) and Sha'Ron Sims.

Grandchildren: Dalaungwa Cullers (deceased)Kendall Johnson Sr.,Terrell Sims (deceased) Percy Freeman, Kamiya Sims, Shakyia Todd, Walter C. Flowers, Michael C. Sims II, Mikayla Sims, D. Laron Sims, SanTresca Sims(deceased), Michael Spivey, Ki'Arry Snodgrass (Robin), Robert D. Dixon, D'Arryl Randolph,Great -Grands: Trevor Leary, Jasmine Brown-Dobson (Wayne), Brittani Cullers-Herring, Deont'e Cullers. Kendall Johnson Jr., Skye Sims, Kailey Autumn-Rose Pickering, Kingston Freeman, Sa'Riyah Todd.

Great-Great Grands: Trinity Gibson, Antwian, A'Vaeh, Tyson, Tyren Herring, Kylen Dobson Joyce-Ann Dobson, Tremaine Harris II, Robin Jr., Krystian L. Za'Riyah L. Dixon,Peighton L. Snodgrass, Nieces: Cordelia Demps (Kenny), Ebonee Green, Angela Hunter and Terri Sims Starling (Harry), Nephew: Dexter Green (Stephanie) and Otis M. Sims Jr. Special Cousins: Joseph Alexander, Rufus Alexander, William Alexander, Winston Dixon, Robert "Willie" Dixon, Goddaughters: Deborah Stebbins, Lisa Bolden, Alana Trent. Dear to my Heart: Scottie Todd, Takita Williams-Sims, Rev. Patrick Miler, Rev. Anthony Beeks, Tasia Gibson, Carla Todd-Lyman, Sylvia King-Johnson, T'Asia Gunn and Jayla Royal.

My Life has been phenomenal serving God in each aspect of my life.  I am thankful to the village that God has placed in my life.
To my family: Don't shed a tear of sorrow, shed tears of joy, for I am no longer in pain nor am I suffering.  I love each and every one of you all in every way possible.  Love each other and keep the family traditions going.

WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.
Mrs. Sims, may be viewed on Friday, June 27, 2025, at West Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 945 Carrie Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32209, from 4:00 p.m. Until 7:00p.m.   Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 28, 2025, at St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church, 5863 Moncrief Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32209, and the interment will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 30, 2025, at Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Carthage Chapel Funeral Home, Inc., 929 West Beaver Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32209.

Born December 7, 1933. Parents Blanchard O. Green Sr. and Sylici Mae Wilson Green of West Jacksonville. I attended West Jacksonville Elementary; there, I was crowned "Queen." Junior High School, I attended A.L. Lewis where I sang in the choir under the direction of Alpha Moore, I also played on the Girl's Basketball Team.  I went on to attend Stanton High School and was a member of the Rover Girls Club and the Stanton Drill Team and proudly graduated, class of 1951from Stanton, home of the "Blue Devils."

I attended West Friendship Baptist Church, baptized at the age of 12 and was the Sunday School Secretary and B.Y.P.U. as well, as a Junior Usher and a Girl Scout Leader. I also enjoyed music lessons under the direction of Mrs. Minnie Turner, our church musician. Mrs. Turner passed when I was 18, at that time, with limited talent, I was elected to be the church musician. The Junior Choir was then formed and continued to grow under the direction of Pastor R. L. Wilson.  The choir went on the radio on Friday nights for two years, our announcer was Deacon Robert L. Williams.

I was a member of the Sunshine Band group that was organized by Theresa Williams; I served as secretary.  Our church was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Association, a part of the Florida General Baptist Convention.  Mrs. Williams used to take us to the convention they meet in April of every year, my daughter, Monica promised to take me in 2026, but for obvious reasons, unfortunately, I will not be in attendance. One highlight for me was that Mrs. Williams would take us to the convention on the train to Miami, most of our fathers worked on the railroad.  The convention had just moved to Miami, we would take mops, brooms, and buckets to help.  We were very happy.  We later joined the Red Circle of the State; we had fun.  There I began to grow deep into the convention, later I was elected as President of the Red Circle.

April of 1963 Vermel and Gartrel began their lives together. To that union two children were born Gartrel L. Sims Jr. and Monica D. Sims. To that union was added Deborah Johnson (deceased), Milton Hannon Jr. (deceased). Kerri Sims-Luke, Joyce Sims(deceased) Sha'Ron Sims, Michael Sims (deceased), After marriage to Rev. Sims, he was called to pastor New Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Sanford Florida, we stayed there for ten years, there I continued to work in the convention, Mrs. Naomi Bentley appointed me as the Third Vice President/Director of the Youth Department.  I traveled with the convention while I was with the Emmanuel Association. I was also crowned" Queen of the Blue Group" I began my travel with the State Department; I was elected Director of the Young People Department of the State Convention for the Florida General Convention.  Mrs. Bentley kept me busy; I was a member of the Southern Region Young People Convention; we traveled all over the United States.  I even carried one-hundred-twenty-five young people to the Bahamas for the convention. That was the most exciting trip ever, to see the smiles on those young people of the Bahamas when they saw us was priceless.

I served 4 years as the Red Circle Directress and State Director of Young People Department for 12 years.  I enjoyed the young people.  God was so good to me, he blessed me to be able to perform the duties and tasks required of these positions, thank you LORD!  My latest assignment from the Lord has been President of The Baptist Minister Wives of Northeast Florida and Adjacent Counties.

I served as organist for thirty-five years at West Friendship, ten years in Sanford, Florida and finally, forty years at Mount Zion Baptist Church of Greenland, Florida. I enjoyed it, it was a pleasure.

GOOD-BYE, I LOVE Y'ALL   "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL"

I am preceded in death by my parents, husband, Rev. Dr. Gartrel Sims Sr., my daughter, Deborah Hannon Johnson and my son, Milton Hannon Jr. I leave to mourn a devoted son Gartrel L. Sims Jr. (Takita) and daughter, my caretaker, Monica D. Sims (Scottie) Kerri Sims-Luke, Joyce Sims(deceased), Michael Sims(deceased) and Sha'Ron Sims,

Grandchildren: Dalaungwa Cullers (deceased)Kendall Johnson Sr.,Terrell Sims (deceased) Percy Freeman, Kamiya Sims, Shakyia Todd, Walter C. Flowers, Michael C. Sims II, Mikayla Sims, D. Laron Sims, SanTresca Sims(deceased), Michael Spivey, Ki'Arry Snodgrass (Robin), Robert D. Dixon, D'Arryl Randolph,

Great -Grands: Trevor Leary, Jasmine Brown-Dobson (Wayne), Brittani Cullers-Herring, Deont'e Cullers. Kendall Johnson Jr., Skye Sims, Kailey Autumn-Rose Pickering, Kingston Freeman, Sa'Riyah Todd

Great-Great Grands: Trinity Gibson, Antwian, A'Vaeh, Tyson, Tyren Herring, Kylen Dobson Joyce-Ann Dobson, Tremaine Harris II, Robin Jr., Krystian L. Za'Riyah L. Dixon,Peighton L. Snodgrass,

Nieces: Cordelia Demps (Kenny), Ebonee Green, Angela Hunter and Terri Sims Starling (Harry), Nephew: Dexter Green (Stephanie) and Otis M. Sims Jr.

Special Cousins: Joseph Alexander, Rufus Alexander, William Alexander, Winston Dixon, Robert "Willie" Dixon,

Goddaughters: Deborah Stebbins, Lisa Bolden, Alana Trent

Dear to my Heart: Scottie Todd, Takita Williams-Sims, Rev. Patrick Miler, Rev. Anthony Beeks, Tasia Gibson, Carla Todd-Lyman, Sylvia King-Johnson, T'Asia Gunn and Jayla Royal

My Life has been phenomenal serving God in each aspect of my life.  I am thankful to the village that God has placed in my life.

To my family: Don't shed a tear of sorrow, shed tears of joy, for I am no longer in pain nor am I suffering.  I love each and every one of you all in every way possible.  Love each other and keep the family traditions going.

WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.

Mrs. Sims, may be viewed on Friday, June 27, 2025, at West Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 945 Carrie Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32209, from 4:00 p.m. Until 7:00p.m.   Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 28, 2025, at St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church, 5863 Moncrief Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32209, and the interment will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 30, 2025, at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Carthage Chapel Funeral Home, Inc., 929 West Beaver Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32209.