Bettye Lorraine Sims Smith

Transcription

1 A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR Bettye Lorraine Sims Smith Tuesday, April 17, :00 PM Ben Hill United Methodist Church 2099 Fairburn Road, Southwest Atlanta, Georgia Reverend Dr. Byron E. Thomas, Pastor Reverend Belinda McCastle, Officiant

2 Who Was Bettye Lorraine Sims Smith A Child of God, First and Foremost! was born in the small town of Waycross, Georgia, the youngest child of the late Mr. & Mrs. Johnny Sims. She received her spiritual foundation from her parents, her community and Austin Chapel C.M.E. Church. She was an active member of Ben Hill United Methodist Church where she served on the Unity Usher Team, chair of the Social Concerns Ministry, Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference and Co-Chairperson of the Church Council. A Wife was wife of the late Lewis L. Smith, a retired Atlanta Public School principal. A Mother was mother of Kelli Nicole Smith, Michael Alyn Smith and Joye Johnson Smith. A Grandmother was grandmother to two handsome and extremely intelligent young men, Malik and Marquis Stephens and a charming granddaughter, Kelsey Nicole Smith. A Scholar was an honor graduate from Reedsville Elementary, Center High, Morris Brown College and Georgia State University. She held a B.S. in English Education, a M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling and an add-on certification in Leadership. As a devoted member of the Class of 61 of Center High School, she was the editor of The Tiger Roars, a newspaper for classmates. An Athlete played varsity basketball in high school. Additionally, she was a member of McGhee Tennis Team of the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association (USTA). A Motivational Speaker spoke at various churches, sorority functions, school awards programs and workshops. A Creative Writer has always had a love for words. She began writing at an early age and wrote her first book entitled My World of April in high school. She has written many poems, two of which, Ode To A Tennis Ball and Ah Spring, have been published by the International Library of Poetry. Mrs. Smith has completed her family history and a collection of her poetry.

3 A Distinguished Educator served in the Atlanta Public School System for over thirty-four years before retiring in She worked as a language arts teacher at Harper High School and Frederick Douglass High School, lead counselor and the instructional coordinator for the Center of Engineering and Applied Technology at Frederick Douglass High School. Since retirement, she co-piloted a mentor program,,successful Teacher Education Practices (STEP) for new teachers, served as a mentor, a consultant to the language arts coordinator and journalism advisor at Benjamin S. Carson Honors Preparatory School. While on staff at Douglass, she founded The Baby Astro Program and upon retirement, she organized Douglass Ole School. A Sister was sister to thousands as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha International Sorority, Incorporated. She served as Intake Chairperson and President of Gamma Gamma Chapter at Morris Brown College and as membership chair for several membership intakes, Corresponding Secretary and Vice President of her graduate chapter, Kappa Omega. She organized the Frederick Douglass AKA s and was a member of the Atlanta Metro Alphabettes. Her memories will forever be cherished by: her children, Kelli Nicole Smith and Michael Alyn Smith (Joye); grandchildren, Malik Lewis Stephens, Marquis Stephens and Kelsey Nicole Smith, all of Atlanta, GA; nephews, Larry Williams (Octavia), Miami, FL, Michael Lowell Sims (Paulette), Kentwood, LA; niece, Jeannene Sims Rosser (Samuel), Jacksonville, FL; cousin/mentor, Juanita Wallace Woods, Chicago, IL; Mother-in-Love, Margaret Smith, Atlanta, GA; sisters-in-love, Diane Cleveland (Harold), East Point, GA, Mary Adams (the late Don Sr.), Southfield, MI, Janet Combs (Roger), Atlanta, GA, Valencia Smith, College Park, GA; brother-in-love, Willie Benjamin Avery (Cheryl), Atlanta, GA; special love ones, Gina Elliott, New, NY, John Michael Lee, Jr., Elizabeth City, NC, Tomika English, Atlanta, GA and a host of great nieces, nephews and cousins.

4 Remember Me Not as a lifeless, cold, inanimate object Look not at this tired old vessel For I no longer reside here You see, I ve taken flight I am resting I am at peace I have a new existence A new song All is well Don t fret Remember me As I was Warm, Passionate About so Many Things Smiling, Laughing Caring, Sharing Picture Me A New Spirit Dancing In a Beautiful Meadow No Cares, Unspeakable Joy Clothed in God s Grace And Unconditional Love! If you must cry--- May your tears be tears of Joy For Me! Forever your Bettye, Maaa, Grandma, Grandmother, TeeTee, Soror, Bettyeboo, Miss Bettye Written May 29, 2003 To be published upon my death

5 Order of Service The Processional...Mrs. Deborah Lyde Sims, Musician This Little Light of Mine The Hymn...Congregation What A Friend We Have In Jesus The Scriptures: The Old Testament...Minister Elizabeth Pollard, Ben Hill The New Testament... Minister Elizabeth Pollard The Prayer...Reverend Gloria Lyde German Smith College Friend The Solo... Ms. Marilyn E. Lyde, College Friend Blessed Assurance The Tributes: Life-long Friends Norman Thomas, Ph.D., A Lesson from Virginia Rance Edwards, Be the Best Of Whatever You Are, High School Classmate Mrs. Bonnie Eades Askew, College Friend The Solo...Ms. Tomika English, Former Student Because You Loved Me The Tributes: Reach Out and Touch John Michael Lee, Jr., Ph.D., Former Student Gina Elliott, Former Student Samuel L. Hill, Ed.D., Principal, Frederick Douglass High School The Solo... Ms. Tomika English The Battle Is Not Yours The Tributes: The Family The Sims Girls, Our TeeTee, Grandnieces Kelli and Michael Smith, Our Mom, The Children The Medley of Hymns... The Lyde Sisters Reverend Gloria Lyde German Smith, Accompanist The Eulogy... Reverend Byron Thomas Senior Pastor, Ben Hill The Acknowledgment/Resolutions... Mrs. Stephanie C. Coleman, Family Friend Mr. Larry Williams, Nephew The Solo...Mrs. Betty M. Gilbert, High School Classmate The Lord s Prayer The Recessional... Let The Church Say Amen

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8 Mr. Damar Adams Mr. Gary Cantrell Mr. Malik Stephens PALLBEARERS Mr. Nash Alexander Mr. Cadaveous Cook Mr. Marquis Stephens HONORARY PALLBEARERS Mr. Griffin Askew Mr. Carter Coleman Mr. Samuel Hill, Ed.D. Mr. William Shepherd, Ed.D. Mr. Michael Sims Mr. Norman Thomas, Ed.D Mr. Larry Williams FLOWER LADIES Center High School, Class of 1962 Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Gamma Chapter HONORARY FLOWER LADIES Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Omega Chapter ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Smith and Sims families are grateful for the many expressions of kindness extended during our time of illness and transition of our beloved, Bettye. Your prayers, telephone calls, visits, gifts of food and other courtesies have helped to sustain us during this most difficult time. Thank you for showing your love in such abundance. We ask that you will continue to pray for us as we face tomorrow. MURRAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, INC Utoy Springs Road, Southwest (corner of Cascade Rd, near I-285) Atlanta, Georgia MKO Graphics & Printers, Inc