Michael Lee Sims, 43, of Elizabethton, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2014, at his residence. He was a native of Carter County and the son of Jennifer Sims and the late Carroll “Bud” Sims and Barbara and David Dula. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his grandfather, C.Y. Peters Sr.; his grandmother, Jane Baer; his grandparents, Rev. James and Lorhina Sims; and an aunt, Charlotte Pruitt.
Mr. Sims was a former manager of Ridgewood Barbeque and of U-Haul in Johnson City, before retiring due to a disability. He attended Freedom Fellowship Center and enjoyed fishing, UT Football, camping and all outdoor activities. He loved his friends and church family and his dog, “Lady.”
Survivors include his mother, Barbara Dula and husband David, Hampton; his mother, Jennifer Sims, Elizabethton; two brothers, Shannon Sims and wife Jamie, Unicoi, and David Dula II and wife Lisa, Elizabethton; three sisters, Ashley Shafer and husband Matt, and Tonja Dula Garcia and husband Charlie, all of Elizabethton, and Tammy Ellison, Hampton; nieces and nephews, Ashley Arroyo, Megan Dula, Kaitlyn Ellison, Aaron Garcia, David Dula III, John Dula and Jack Dula; great-nephew, Noland Brockway; great-aunt, Sue Markland; aunt, Paulette Harris; uncle, Boyd Pruitt; special aunts, Margaret Tipton, Linda Arnold and Shirley Edwards; special uncle, Steve Stout; and special cousins, Becky and Haley Jarnigan and James Harris. Several other nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
A service to honor the life of Michael Lee Sims will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 7, in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services, Elizabethton, with Rev. Shannon Sims officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service, or at the residence of his mother, Jennifer, 1210 Bluefield Avenue, Elizabethton, or Barbara, 252 Dogwood Acres, Hampton. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, August 8, in the Blevins Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Chris Williams, Allen Jarnigin, Kevin Fritts, David Myers, Charles Garcia, David Dula II, James Harris, Travis Carrier and Aaron Garcia. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Freedom Fellowship, Jeff Meredith, Jeff Hilton and the Class of 1990 and the Unaka Football team. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services at 10 a.m. Friday to go in procession. Online condolences may be sent to the family and viewed by visiting our website at www.hathawaypercy.com.
Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the Sims family. Office (423) 543-5544.