Kenneth Sims
Kenneth Sims, 72, of Hedgesville, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 9, 2017.
Born July 5, 1945, in Cowen, he was the 11th child of the late James Wesley and Virginia Malcom Sims.
He graduated from Cowen High School in 1963, attended Beckley Jr. College, Shepherd College, West Virginia University, and the University of Virginia.
He received his calling to teach on his first day of school, Sept. 1, 1951. He started teaching in 1964 with 42 hours of college credit. He was a teacher and principal of Cherry Run School, grades one through four, which was the last one room school in Morgan County. His salary was $190 per month. He also taught second and third grade at Great Cacapon, second grade at North Berkeley, and Widymer School.
He received awards and was nominated several times for Morgan County Teacher of the Year, however he felt he had too many wonderful colleagues more deserving than himself. He was the honored recipient of the 1990 Americia’s Best Teacher Award. However his most cherished award was the respect, hugs, and love he received from his former students, parents, colleagues, and the community. It was a source of great pleasure for Kenny to know that Morgan and Berkeley counties are filled with his extended family of successful students and professional colleagues. His daily motto was, teaching makes beautiful memories, by following the Golden Rule, and a job worth doing is worth doing right the first time.
Also known for maple syrup, gingerbread houses, circus trips, and hayrides, his make believe brother Ralph, teaching, instilling the love of reading and his students, riding his motorcycle, and spending time at his home with his wife, Evelyn.
He also worked for Berkeley Springs Dairy, Musselman Apple Plant, and West Virginia Youth summer jobs as a supervisor.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Evelyn Hedges Smith Sims; one daughter, Retta Virginia Henry and husband, David; two granddaughters, Meredyth K. Hofe and Savanna Blank; sisters, Dail Pease and Retta Pease, all of Baltimore, Maryland, and Jean Horner, of Trenton, Texas; brothers, Charles Sims, of Cowen and Robert Sims, of Baltimore.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Lawrence, Bernard, and Junior; and two sisters, Velva Runge and Georgia Weimer.
He retired with 36 years of teaching, where he taught three generations. He was rehired after 18 days of retirement and continued to teach at Hedgesville for 16 years, having a total of 52 years of teaching. He volunteered at Hedgesville Elementary School by reading to every child in the school, he also volunteered at Tomahawk and Widymer Schools. In 2011, he received the Volunteer Award from Berkeley County Schools. He was known for his fun and exciting stories.
He was a member of Hennis Fox Miracle Center, where he served as pianist, organist, treasure, and board member. He attended Johnsontown Church of the Brethren, where he also served as an organist.
He was one of the founding leaders of the Great Cacapon Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Kenny was an avid collector of antique butter molds. He raised and showed Bantam chickens and rabbits. He loved his cattle, and was also an avid gardener, which he shared with anyone that stopped by his house.
He always tried to be a friend to everyone. He was grand marshall of the Apple Butter Festival of 1990, was inducted into the Apple Butter Hall of Fame 2002. Kenny along with his wife made and decorated cakes, he holds a master from Wilton. He made cakes for Governor Caperton, Governor Cecil Underwood, and Governor Arch Moore.
He was past president of the Pleasant View Community Center.
Family received friends Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Snyders Bible Church with Pastor Donald Dick, Pastor Dennis Rhoe, and Pastor Larry Westcott officiating. Interment is in Snyders Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Johnsontown Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 279, Hedgesville, WV 25427 or to the Hedgesville Elementary School Library, Hedgesville, WV 25427 or the library of your choice.
All food donations may be made the day of the service at Johnsontown Church of the Brethren.
Online condolences may be offered at BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.