Bernice McFerrin Sims, 92, was born August 23, 1920 in Mantachie, MS and recently of Bartlett, TN went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 9, 2013. Bernice was a point guard for the Mantachie High School women''s basketball team and in her senior year this team went on to win the State Championship of Mississippi. No wonder she was such an avid follower of the University of Memphis Tiger basketball team. She could often be heard calling plays while watching them on TV. Bernice was a member of Everett Memorial Methodist Church in Memphis for many years, where she taught children''s Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible School, and was a Youth Counselor for the MYF. She later became a member of Bartlett United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Fidelity Sunday school class, Senior Fun Club and UMW. She loved to fish and was an avid gardener alongside her husband. Their vegetables and all types of roses and flowers were enjoyed and admired at church gatherings and community events. She enjoyed square dancing and garden club in Bartlett. Bernice retired from Goldsmith''s department store (now Macy''s) and received a 25 year recognition pin. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Steve Bernard Sims also of Mantachie, MS. Bernice is survived by two children, son Steve Bernard Sims, Jr. (wife Nancy) of Bartlett, TN and daughter Dolores Sims Brantley (husband, Dr. Will D. Brantley, Jr.) of Bluffton, SC; grandchildren, Steffanie Sims of Memphis, TN, Rebecca Seago Coyle (husband Alan) of Olympia, WA, Lester Seago, III of Mammoth Hot Springs, WY, Will Davis Brantley, III (wife Cathy) of Orlando, FL and Melissa Brantley Watson (husband Jim) of Melboune, Australia. She had six great-grandchildren, Julie, Adelyne and Colton Brantley and Caelan, Lachlan and Brantley Watson. Bernice was the Matriarch of our family, loved by many and truly will be missed by all. Visitation will be 1-2 p.m., Tuesday, February 12, with services to follow at 2 p.m. at Forest Hill East Funeral Home. Interment will be in Forest Hill East Cemetery.
Forest Hill East Funeral Home 901-382-1000