Dr. James Vernon Sims

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POLKTON – On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Dr. James Vernon Sims, 83, passed away peacefully at his home.

Funeral services will be 3:00 PM, Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home with Rev. Jerome Cash officiating, Interment will follow in Anson Memorial Park.

The family will greet friends from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Dr. Sims was born September 30, 1941, in Ohio and was lovingly reared by his grandmother in Lilesville, living in an apartment above the telephone company. He attended all grades of school in Lilesville, graduating from Lilesville High School Class of 1959 as the Salutatorian.

He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1965. In 1968, he earned a Master of Arts from Appalachian State University, in 1977 earned a Sixth Year Degree in Education and in 1985 earned a Doctorate in Education from Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Dr. Sims, known for his long and successful career in education with Anson County Schools, served as Principal of Peachland Elementary School, Principal of Anson Junior High School, Associate Superintendent of Anson County Schools and retiring as Superintendent of Anson County Schools.

During Dr. Sims tenure as superintendent, Anson County built four new elementary schools, Lilesville, Peachland Polkton, Ansonville and Morven. These schools were built from bond money he was instrumental in raising for their construction.

He was civically active in his community, serving on the Anson County Board of Education and several terms as a County Commissioner for Anson County. He has also been a member of the Wadesboro Rotary Club, Anson County Economic Development and Anson County Bearcat Booster Club.

He was a member of Peachland Baptist Church where he had served as a Sunday school teacher. He enjoyed a good golf game with his friends and was always kind, congenial, caring, and willing to help others in any way he could.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ann Terry Sims; his grandson, Cody Helms (Desiree); his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gilda and Benny Galliher; and his nephews, Benny Galliher, Jr. and Chris Galliher and their families.

In addition to his parents and his grandmother, Mary Henry Harrington, he was preceded in death by his son, Stan Sims and by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Rosa Lee Terry.