Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Shelia Sue Sutterfield Sims, age 70

Shelia Sue Sutterfield Sims was born on April 7, 1949 in Moro, Arkansas. She passed from this life on December 31, 2019 in East End Arkansas.

After graduating from Wheatley High School she attended Apostolic Bible Institute in St Paul, Minnesota. Shelia worked with her husband Larry Sims in ministry for over 40 years, which took them to many places all over the world.

Shelia served with Larry in Minnesota and Florida as assistant pastor until they moved to Tennessee in 1977 to become the pastor of First Pentecostal Church in Smithville, Tennessee. The Sims family later moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1989 to take the pastorate of Maranatha Ministries.

During her time in Vancouver, Shelia became president of the Ladies Ministry of the United Pentecostal Church of British Columbia, a role which she loved and accomplished many amazing things.

Over the years she served in many capacities in her local church and in the United Pentecostal Church International, as a Pastors wife, Assistant Pastors wife, Youth Pastors wife, Evangelist wife, Traveling Speaker, Ladies Ministries President, Sunday School teacher and numerous other ministries just to name a few.

Shelia was preceded in death by her father, Troy Sutterfield, her mother Margaret Sutterfield, and her spouse Reverend Larry Sims.

She is survived by her son, Larry Anthony Sims (Leah) of Knoxville IA, and her daughter Angela McDonald (Micheal) of Little Rock AR, five grandchildren; Austin Sims, Marissa McDonald, Andrew Sims, Jakob McDonald and Alex Sims, three sisters; Patricia Billingsley (Jerry) of Little Rock AR, Sandy Corbitt (Orville) of Hot Springs, AR,  VaNessa Morris (Lynn) North Little Rock AR., two brothers; Tony Sutterfield of Hot Springs AR and Rick Sutterfield (Kim) of Leesburg Fl., a sister in-law Patricia Kramer (Rick) of Pensacola FL. , along with 44 nieces, 37 nephews and many more loving family and friends. 

Memorial Services will be held at 2 P.M. on Saturday January 4, 2020 at Word Aflame Church 7800 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209.  A time of visitation will begin at Noon.

Memorials in Shelia’s honor can be made to the “Shelia Sims Project” at Word Aflame Church

Arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville. Shelia’s online guest book is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com

38 Comments

  • Cheryl Posted January 2, 2020 3:07 PM

    Sorry for your loss. I’m so glad to have known her. She was a great lady. Thinking of y’all. Love and hugs to y’all. ❤️

  • Dellona Johnson Posted January 2, 2020 3:12 PM

    Micheal, Ang, Marissa & Jake and all family, you are in our prayers. We loved Shelia. May Jesus comfort all of you!
    Love & Prayers, Marty & Dellona Johnson

  • Sherry Colwell vanatta Posted January 2, 2020 3:13 PM

    Such an awesome lady I love her dearly saying much prayers for you Angie and Anthony love you guys

  • Annaliza Posted January 2, 2020 3:42 PM

    Godly lady. She will always be remembered by her genuine warmth smile and her beautiful spirit. She was a mother and a grandmother to many. Thank you for giving to the Lord and for your legacy.
    Prayers to the family.

    • Vicki and Aubrey Posted January 3, 2020 12:36 AM

      Our prayers go out to Sheila’s family. It was our delight to have known this beautiful Christian lady. I will miss seeing her around the altar praying with our young people as she so often would do.

  • Jodi Perry Posted January 2, 2020 3:46 PM

    Sis. Sims was a powerful voice in my life. Her influence and loving instruction surely changed the course of my family. She never met my children, but my children knew her every time I did what was right and patient and loving in the face of difficulty and frustration, every time I held my peace and looked for a better way. She was dearly loved and deeply respected by my husband and I. I am so sincerely sorry for your loss and ever so grateful to have had her loving voice in my life.

  • Tom Murphy Posted January 2, 2020 4:28 PM

    She was a wonderful lady! I loved her and Larry and admired their work for God over the years!

  • Sandy Jordan Posted January 2, 2020 4:46 PM

    I became acquainted with Sheila when we went to Bible school in St Paul MN. She was a wonderful, Godly lady. I’m richer to have known her. We loved her and her family and we’re praying for you all.

  • John and Sue Fowlkes Posted January 2, 2020 5:23 PM

    John and I were honored to know Shelia and many of her family members. We want the family to know how sorry we are for their loss and send prayers to heal your broken hearts. Your legacy will continue for many years. Thank you for calling us friend.

  • Pastor Mark Lemke and Kathy Posted January 2, 2020 5:56 PM

    Shelia, I will never forget our meeting at ABI and your much needed nurturing during our time in Vancouver. My life would have been very different without you. This world just got a little poorer with your passing.

  • Charlene Carter-Burns Posted January 2, 2020 6:09 PM

    What a great friend to so many. I deeply admired her walk and stability with God. She was such a role model to many. I will remember this great family in my prayers. I pray Gods comfort to everyone. Love Aunt Charlene

  • Michelle Braswell Walker Posted January 2, 2020 6:30 PM

    I’m so sorry to hear about Sis Sims passing. I appreciate each and every pray that she prayed for me. Praying God covers you with His love and comfort to face the days ahead.

  • Jon Cupoli Posted January 2, 2020 7:20 PM

    I know you are doing much better now but we miss you here!

  • Linds Tracy Posted January 2, 2020 7:25 PM

    May the Lord comfort. Shelia was at ABI and 2 years ahead of me but I remember her kindness.

  • John and Linda Hill Posted January 2, 2020 7:48 PM

    So saddened to hear of Shiela’s passing
    . She was a wonderful classmate during our years at ABI. Time moves on and many children of the Lord have been called home. Shiela has just joined several of her friends and I know she is smiling.

  • Tracy Plumlee Posted January 2, 2020 8:19 PM

    loved Sister Sheila. Went to Church with her Grew up with siblings she will be missed.

  • The Zotzmans Posted January 2, 2020 10:35 PM

    I loved serving in the BC Ladies ministry with Sis. Sims and I am saddened to hear of her loss. Sending love and prayers.

  • Ron and Cindy Ens Posted January 3, 2020 12:50 AM

    So sorry for your loss….we were flying back from Rachelle’s when a text made it through….by the time we got to Anthony’s he had Garretts there and we shared our shock….so soon departed from this life….but she has gone on to her reward….we love her much…

  • Kimberly Hale-Robbins Posted January 3, 2020 4:39 AM

    My thoughts of how & when we first met in Smithville, TN not so many years ago. You’ve now made the trip of all trips, how beautiful Heaven must be! Thanks for the love, prayers & friendship. Until….Kim

  • Daniel & Ruth Stirnemann Posted January 3, 2020 9:24 AM

    We are so sorry to hear of SHELIA’s passing. They assisted us in a new work right after Bible School in Minnesota. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. May God comfort your hearts.

  • sheila stone Posted January 3, 2020 9:36 AM

    I never got to meet her in person but talk to her threw message cause she did a lot of her family threw ancestry. prayers to family

  • Karen Osterbeck Posted January 3, 2020 10:48 AM

    I will never forget this beautiful LADY IF GOD. She has made me laugh so many time. And when I see someone chewing gum in church Sis Sims comes to my mind. (Ladies Retreat comment). I have always lived this lady. And I really missed her leading us Ladies in worship. One special person. My prayers are with all her family. A beautiful person.

  • Edwina,Hedges, Coppinger Posted January 3, 2020 4:11 PM

    Always loved Sis Shelia Soms along with the late Rev. Larry Sims. We enjoyed them so much when pastoring in Smithville, TN. The Christmas parties that they hosted for our section. Great times.
    May God bless Anthony, Angela and family.

  • Corenna Rideout Posted January 3, 2020 7:21 PM

    My heart is so sad as I think of our many visits together. Sis. Sims spoke into my life at such a difficult time and it changed me! She orchestrated some of the most powerful ladies meetings I have ever been a part of and I will forever be thankful I shared those moments in the presence of God with her! She certainly had boldness in the presence of God! I missed her a lot when she moved back to the states and many times wished for another visit together. My prayers are with you all as you transition in this difficult time.

  • Ron B Posted January 4, 2020 1:22 AM

    Pastor and Sis Sins were a team. Each one helped the other to be what they needed to be. First Pastor Sims and now Sis Sims. We are thankful for the influence and blessing they have been to our family and while we will always miss Sis Sims, we will never forget her.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with Anthony and Angela and all the family members.
    It will be just a brief moment before we are reunited in that land beyond the blue.
    God is Good!
    Love and Prayers,
    Ron, Virgie, Kristin, Alanna and Ryan Bjorndal

  • Lilia Johnson Posted January 4, 2020 3:11 AM

    First of all, I thank God to be part of Pastor and Sis. Sims Ministry here in Vancouver, BC Canada.
    Sis. Sims and I were good buddies. She trusted me to a lot of things. From driving her to preaching appointments, cleaning her house, ladies retreat folders that needs to be done, picking up/ driving back ministers to the airport. I got to know her as a friend, Pastor’s wife and my leader..
    We are buddies, however, there were boundaries between saint and my leader.
    I never forget the day when she was really upset because of the children does not listen to her. She pulled her eye glasses down half way to her nose and look at them, Boy you can hear a pin drop of silence in that group.
    Sister Sims was loved by my 3 children and I. We are going to miss her dearly. We may not have constants communication, however, liking her post on Facebook know that she is still around.
    Sis. Ang’s and family, we are here for you when you decided to visit Vancouver.. Prayers and Love you all ❤️

  • Charles Kathleen Scogins Posted January 4, 2020 11:52 AM

    We are coming because of our love and association with Sister VaNessa. We have met her sisters and know they are all sisters in the Lord. The loss of Shelia is for all of us on earth to face. She, however, has gone home and will be singing Gods praises until we can join her.

  • Alexander W Rocker Posted January 5, 2020 11:38 AM

    She will always be Shelia Sue to me. Both Pastor and Sis Sims were kind and generous- something I will always treasure. Condolences from the Rocker Family.

  • S. & I. Pilgrim Posted January 7, 2020 12:35 PM

    Dear Anthony and Angie,
    We are so sorry to hear of your recent loss. We have been praying for you and your families, that the memories you share would be a comfort in this difficult time. Your Mom was an encourager to many people. She knew how to “tell it like it is” but she did it in love. She was a hard worker who would go till the job was done. We appreciate her years of labour here in the North. She will be greatly missed by many people, but we know she has gone on to her reward, and no longer suffers the frustrations of this life. We love you guys, and you will continue to be in our prayers. Steve & Iris Pilgrim

  • Brittney Posted January 7, 2020 6:20 PM

    I will miss your prayers and wise words

  • Rev. C. Allen and Michelle King Posted January 7, 2020 6:20 PM

    Our hearts go out to all the family! There are lots of wonderful memories we will cherish forever. We love you Angie and Anthony!

  • Betty VanCleave Posted January 7, 2020 6:37 PM

    Loved her. Enjoyed going to church and the volleyball games when she was here in Camden. Prayers for you Angela and the family.

  • Kitrina nickel Posted January 7, 2020 6:53 PM

    All of my favorite first ladies retreat memories have this lovely lady in them. Amazing fun times filled with direction and some altar calls that I won’t ever forget. I am so thankful that she gave her time, energy and wisdom.
    She complemented me on a picture I took of her grandchildren once and I think of it often when I am photographing someone especially children. She said some how you managed to capture their spirit. I loved that and still strive to reach that goal in my pictures.

    We are so sorry for your loss. Praying and sending hugs to you all.

  • JoyceRoberts Posted January 7, 2020 7:13 PM

    We will miss you Shelia,but know where your at make all the difference.Love Aunt Joyce

  • Kerry hunt Posted January 7, 2020 9:07 PM

    Sorry for your loss she was a great women

  • Reba Hargrove Posted January 7, 2020 9:57 PM

    God bless you. You are in our thoughts and prayers

  • Rachel Gibson Posted January 7, 2020 10:26 PM

    Sis Shelia was an amazing example of how a Christian woman should walk in this world. While I didn’t know her well, I’m blessed to have her know my mom and aunts and for the example she set for them while growing up in Little Rock. I look forward to seeing you one day in streets of gold.

  • Gloria Iuliano Posted January 8, 2020 6:24 AM

    With a loss like this there are few words that can give true comfort to help mend a sorrowful heart. Cry, be sad but smile when you think of the good times you had. Sheila was a wonderful, dedicated, kind person who will be missed by many. Love you all

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