By Staff
Jan. 28, 2009
Funeral for Dr. John V. Sims, III, 70, of Kingsport, Tenn., was Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2:30 p.m. at Rogersville Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. David A. Cagle officiating and Broome Funeral Home of Rogersville directing.
Burial was in McKinney Cemetery.
Dr. Sims died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, Tenn. He was born in Decatur and graduated from Morgan County High School in 1956 as valedictorian. He was also the first Key Club president. He attended Auburn University and graduated from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn., in 1963 where he was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa Honorary Society. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport. Dr. Sims served Kingsport and Mt. Carmel as an optometrist for almost 40 years and was a member of the American Optometric Association. He was past president of Northeast Tennessee Optometric Association and served on the Tennessee State Board of Directors. He was a member of the Tennessee State Board of Examiners in Optometry for five years and was a member of the national and Tennessee Society of Sons of the American Revolution. He served as secretary and president of Kings Mountain Chapter SAR, Johnson City, Tenn., and was also a member of several other historical societies. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Vol Sims, II and Margaret Freeman Sims.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ellen Chambers Sims of Kingsport; a daughter, Katherine Sims Smithwick and husband Walter of Jacksonville, Fla.; a son, Brian C. Sims and wife Kimberly of Johnson City, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Emily Smithwick, Elizabeth Smithwick, both of Jacksonville, Fla. and Daniel Sims, Mitchell Sims and Sarah Sims all of Johnson City; two sisters, Luann Adams and husband Mike of Trussville and Rose Marie Ellis and husband Joel of Hartselle; two brothers, George W. Sims and wife Catherine and Jackie F. Sims and wife Shelba, all of Hartselle and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Wellmont Hospice for their caring concern of Dr. Sims. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Wellmont Hospice, 280 Steeles Rd., Bristol, Tenn. 37620; Rogersville Presbyterian Church, 309 W. Kyle St., Rogersville, Tenn. 37857 or First Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, Tenn. 37660.