Alice Blanding Sims

The Life and Times of Alice Blanding Sims Alice Blanding Sims, daughter of the late Stephen and Alice James Blanding, was born July 30, 1912, in Horatio, SC. Nearly one-hundred years later on Thursday morning, July 12, 2012, at the home of her granddaughter in Las Vegas, NV, Alice peacefully transitioned from this earthly life into eternal life. Alice was the last of five siblings, Earl, George, Sammy and Ethel. Alice attended school in Sumter, SC. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and began her Christian service to the Lord as a member of the High Hills AME Church in Dalzell, SC. Alice accompanied her mother to, what seemed to her, all of the funerals in town. It was with her mother that she began learning lessons on being a faithful “doorkeeper” in the house of the Lord. In 1938, Alice and Julius were married in Columbia, SC, and migrated to Steelton, PA, in 1941. They had three children, Arthur, Julia Mae and Louis. Following the death of their daughter Julia Mae in 1968, Julius and Alice lovingly raised their granddaughter Robin. They enjoyed an active lifestyle which entailed Julius’ tending a huge vegetable garden and Alice canning a year’s worth of vegetables every summer. They took pride in sharing their bounty. The practice of helping others became a way of life as their home frequently became home for many family members. In addition to all of the children in the family, they truly loved and cherished the relationships they had with all of their children’s friends. After a major illness, Julius passed away in 1991. Alice was dedicated to her beloved Monumental A.M.E. Church where she maintained membership for almost seventy years. She served on the Combined Choir, with the Hazel Floyd Stewardess Board, as a past President of the Senior Usher Board and member of the Interdenominational Usher Board. Over the years, she received numerous plaques of recognition at programs honoring her many years of dedicated service. She loved to sing and usher. One frequently saw Alice at her post, standing next to the casket, at many funerals throughout Harrisburg and Steelton. Although she was also known as “Scoon,” her great-grands gave her the new nickname of “FoFo” because she was always singing, “Let the Power of the Holy Ghost fall on me.” Not only did Alice work outside of the home, she was a good homemaker and made the best tasting country soul food anyone ever had. If you dropped by, she would bake her favorite yellow layered-cake with jelly filling in no time flat. If you ever tasted her sweet potato pies, you knew they were the best. Alice enjoyed conversing with folks of all ages and giving her opinions whether you wanted to hear them or not. She was known for her quick wit and sometimes found herself in trouble because of her blunt remarks. She never held a grudge and was perplexed when others didn’t understand her intentions. She often marveled how God was working in her life and was ever-so grateful to her grandson James and grandnephew Kenny for caring for her. Over the years, the presence of nephew Ernest and nieces, Janie and Ruth, at all of the holiday celebrations and the support of Earl and Ethel’s daughters were very special. They are to be commended for their faithfulness. In due time, Alice was cared for by her son and daughter-in-law, Louis and Erma. In her last days, she relocated to live with her granddaughter Robin and husband Clarence along with their two sons. Alice was triumphant over a few life-changing and untimely deaths including those of her daughter, Julia Mae Sims Fulton (once married to Robert Fulton), her eldest son, Arthur Sims (Bernice-deceased) and her eldest grandchild, Leroy Hughes (Barbie). She leaves to celebrate her life, her son, Louis Sims (Erma) of Washington, DC; five grandchildren, James Chatman (Sherri), Sheri Ross (Dwayne) of Harrisburg, PA, Robin Fulton Brown (Clarence) of Las Vegas, Vinnae Alcendor and Rhoda Sims of Harrisburg; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Mamie Jamison (Richard-deceased) of Swedesboro, NJ, and Lu Ellen Jamison (Lyn-deceased) of Columbia, SC. She also leaves to cherish her life, twenty-two nieces, twelve nephews, one first cousin, Ellen Richardson of Sumter, SC, and a host of other cousins and friends.

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Alice Blanding Sims

July 30, 1912 - July 12, 2012