Rosa Maria (Williams) Sims

Graveside service for Evangelist Rosa Maria Williams Sims 62 of Tuscaloosa and formerly of Decatur, AL will be noon Saturday at Decatur City Cemetery-Sterrs Addition.  Public viewing will be Friday from noon till 5:00 pm at Reynolds Funeral Home. A virtual Celebration of Life will be held at 7:00 pm Saturday at Oasis  Life Centre.

The link to the virtual celebration is: https://www.facebook.com/oasislcc

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the ministry of OLCCI. You can do this via CashApp: $KingdomCentre or through our website @ www.olcci.info

Evangelist Rosa Maria Sims was born in LaGrange, Georgia on January 31, 1959 to the late Amos Lee Williams and Alveta Bell Williams-Hall. She was the third of five children born to this union.

Rosa was educated in the Cleveland, OH and Montgomery, AL Educational Systems. She graduated from Lanier High School in 1976. After graduation and being offered various scholarships because of her academic excellence, she chose to marry the love of her life, Donell Sims. To this union was born one son, Larry Donell Sims who she often referred to as her gift from God.

Finding herself divorced with a child, she made the decision to join the United States Army where she served both Active duty and in the Reserves. After her years of service, she was honorably discharged and returned home to raise her son. Rosa then chose to pursue nursing. She attended and completed the nursing program at Trenholm State Community college to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN.)

Rosa confessed hope in Christ at an early age, at Faith Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Cleveland, OH under the leadership of Elder L.K. Banks. As she got older she strayed from the faith and later rededicated her life to Christ at the People’s Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL under the leadership of the Reverend Paul Boswell. She was a faithful member, active in the music department being one of the founding members of the Paul Boswell Praise Chorale.  She was also active in the community and apart of the Montgomery Metro Mass Community Choir.

While at people’s Baptist, she met and married the Rev. Jeff Davis Abner. To this union was born one son, Jarez Abner, who was a stillborn.

In 1993, Rosa relocated to Decatur, Alabama with her family. She joined the Mount Olive P.B. Church under the leadership of her brother, The Rev. Amos Williams, Sr. and later Joined Grace & Truth Outreach Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Ronnie & Evang. Veronica Johnson. she was a faithful member until the ministry dissolved.  She then joined Oasis Church International under the leadership of her son, Apostle Larry D. Sims. While at Oasis Church International, she publicly accepted her call preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was licensed in Ministry by Apostle Sims and served as an Evangelist & Outreach Minister.

She later joined with Harvest Time OMC under the leadership of Bishop Elijah Gray, III and Dr. Victoria Gray.

Rosa worked over 25 plus years in the nursing field until she retired in 2019 from the State of Alabama as a mental health nurse.

Rosa had a fun-loving bubbly personality. She rarely met a stranger and tried to help and encourage anyone she could. In church, she was known for her fiery testimonies and her unique dance/shout. For many years she was known around Decatur as the Hollering woman, a nickname affectionately given to her by Pastor and Radio/TV Personality, Bishop Ronnie Powell. Evangelist Rosa Sims will be truly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son Jarez Abner.

Evangelist Sims leaves to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy: her son, Apostle Larry D Sims (Adrean) of Decatur, AL; stepmother, Minnie Williams of Montgomery, AL; siblings: the Reverend Amos Williams, Sr. (Eulanda), Dewitt Williams (Keshia), Noah Williams all of Decatur, AL, Emetheus Williams of Hillsboro, AL, Princess Williams, Marcus Williams (April), Valeria Hardy (Frederick), Ervin Sankey all of Montgomery, AL, James Earl Sankey, Vanessa Sankey both of Maryland; uncles and aunts, Henry Williams, Shirley Williams both of Decatur, GA, Christine Dunson of LaGrange, GA, Ethel Bell Ralph-Wilson of Atlanta, GA, Martha Philpott of St. Petersburg, FL; four special adopted grandchildren: Ashante, Amarii, Gianna and Zion all of Decatur, AL and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rosa Maria (Williams) Sims, please visit our floral store.