Katherine Sims Burrell

Katherine Sims Burrell, age 97, went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 1, 2016, after a short illness. Her strong faith in Jesus Christ gave her the strength to persevere through the challenges of old age.
Born in Oglethorpe County, GA., to the late Charles Emory Sims and Harriet (Hattie) Whitehead Sims. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, J. Lloyd Burrell, sisters Hazel and Grace Sims and brothers, Carroll, Roy and Maurice Sims. Survivors include daughter, Janice Burrell, son and daughter-in-law, Alan Burrell and Lee Gallo, grandson and wife, Bill and Stacye Gallo and great grandchildren William and Marcello Gallo, niece Betty Sims Cromwell, and great nieces, Lisa Crandall, Pam Spohn and Chris Madewell.
Katherine graduated in 1940 from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics. She taught at Clarksville High School and Savannah High School. During WWII she served as the dietitian of William and Mary College while her husband was stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Eustis, Virginia. She became a district supervisor of the WPA lunchroom program in DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties and supervisor of the homemaking department of Savannah Area Vocational School, where she taught sewing. She served as the coordinator to organize and manage the Manpower Development Training Administration program for the Chatham-Savannah Board of Education.
She was a long-time member of Beech Haven Baptist Church in Athens, former member of Mars Hill Baptist Church in Oconee County and charter member of Memorial Baptist Church in Savannah. Her civic affiliations included Athens Area Retired Educators Association and Watkinsville Flatrock Homemakers. She was a former member of Athens Woman's Club, Ladies Garden Club of Athens, Watkinsville Garden Club, Savannah Exchangettes, Savannah Huntington Club and Ladies UGA Club of Savannah. Recently she was intent to completing her second cookbook and writing her memoires.
In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Katherine touched the hearts of everyone who was blessed to meet her. She never met a stranger and was generous with the gifts of mercy and kindness to others. As a fifty-year breast cancer survivor, she comforted other patients, telling them what the Lord was doing in her life, and often visited residents of her retirement community who were in health care. Accompanied by her Yorkshire terrier, Chanel, her smile and her cheerfulness were contagious.
She was the family historian and a world-traveler who lived an inspirational life, filled with love, laughter and brightness. She and her husband enjoyed an over 50-year association with their close friends in Savannah who called themselves the Geritol Gypsies.
Al celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 2:30 PM with a visitation preceding at 1:30 at Lord and Stephens, WEST, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677. Dr. Stewart B. Simms, Jr., will officiate. Prior to the service, interment was at Mars Hill Baptist Church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Missions Program of Beech Haven Baptist Church, 2390 West Broad Street, Athens, GA 30606, to Mars Hill Baptist Church, 2641 Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677 or to your local Presbyterian community.