Dr. Yvonne Bethea Sims

Dr. Yvonne Elizabeth Bethea Sims, 71, entered eternal life with the Lord on June 14, 2021. She was born in Petersburg, Virginia on September 19, 1949. She moved to Northampton County (Town of Jackson), North Carolina in 1997. She was the daughter of Thelma Bethea and the late Herbert L. Bethea, Jr. Along with her father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Wyman Bethea, Sr. Yvonne received Christ at an early age as a member of the First Baptist Church of Petersburg, Virginia. She was later a member of the Greater Faith AME Zion Church of Petersburg, Virginia. For more than 20 years, she has been a dedicated and active member of St. Matthew AME Church in Weldon, North Carolina. There she served on the Steward Board, Usher Board and Missionary Society. Yvonne was educated in the Petersburg Public School System, Petersburg, VA and was a graduate of Peabody High School in 1967. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master's degree in Earth Science from Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA. She also earned a postgraduate certification in Earth and Environmental Science from The Ohio State University and a Medical Assistance certificate from National Educational Centers. And, with her love of education and being a lifetime learner of God's word, she earned her Doctoral Degree in Biblical Studies from Grace Bible College and Theological Seminary in 2017. After her retirement, she continued to support the community as a substitute teacher, mentor, and tutor - occasionally teaching college courses. Education was her life's passion. She enjoyed a career as a science teacher and administrator for more than 36 years. Yvonne worked in Dinwiddie County Public Schools, Petersburg Public Schools, Northampton County Public Schools and Bertie County Schools, North Carolina, she also worked at Virtual High School, Virginia State University and Fortis College - Richmond. She loved her students and helping them work to create better lives for themselves. Yvonne received many accolades as an educator and secured several grants to support science programs for her students. And, in addition to teaching, she spent many years as a Medical Assistant for MedCare Clinic in Chester, VA. She was a member of the former Benedict Civic Club in Petersburg and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was an active member of the National Association of University Women (NAUW) - Northampton (NC) Chapter until the time of her passing. She is survived by a loving and dedicated family: including her mother, Thelma Bethea of Prince George, VA; two sisters, Yvette Carter (Brian Jackson) of Hopewell, VA and Terri Morse Ceasar of Petersburg, VA; her husband of 30 years, Elmer Sims of Chesterfield, VA; her sons, Lance Sims of Chester, VA and LaMar Sims (Nina) of North Chesterfield, VA; three grandchildren, Kendall Sims of Washington, DC, Lauryn and Nathan Sims of North Chesterfield, VA; her loving Rottweiler "Bear"; three brothers-in-law, Lorenzo and Ben Sims of Spotsylvania, VA and Isaac Sims of Denver, CO; six nephews, Wyman Bethea, Jr. (Amy), Melvin Carter, III, Corey and LaJuan Sims, Terrell Ceasar (Genia) and Wade Bethea; five nieces, Monica, Ayanna and Meredith Sims (Lee Perna), Candace Hicks (Jamal) and Whitney Ceasar; bonus mom, Rebecca Bethea; devoted friends, Vernice Kier, Dewanda Dawson and Shirley Ellsworth; and a host of additional family, friends, classmates, colleagues, students and community members. A Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life of Yvonne will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Tucker & Fisher Celebration of Life Chapel, 415 Halifax St., Petersburg, VA. The service will be live streamed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Dr. Yvonne B. Sims Scholarship Fund at St. Mathew AME Church, P.O. Box 605 Weldon, NC 27890.

Dr. Yvonne Bethea Sims

September 19, 1949 - June 14, 2021