Live Streaming will be provided below at the time of the service.
On the evening of Saturday, March 13, 2021, our dear Lord called Thomas Gaylord Sims home to be with “Him”. Thomas was born on April 3, 1959 to the late George Sims, Sr. and Virginia (Elliott) Hagins.
Thomas, better known as Merc, was educated by the New Brunswick School System. During his early years, he attended Mt. Zion AME Church. He was part of the youth choir and the youth men usher broad of Mt. Zion Church. During the summer, Merc worked for the CETA youth program in New Brunswick where he painted the elementary schools and the board of education building during the summer. Merc was employed with Rutgers for the past 31 years and was treated with so much love.
Growing up, Merc had a love for karate and even reached the level of black belt. He loved to show off his skills by demonstrating his moves, and sharing his knowledge of nun chucks and knives to his nephews. Merc also loved a barbecue. He would invite family and friends, even neighbors over to his house to eat, even if all he had was a couple of hot dogs. It would eventually turn out to be a potluck, but it was always about spreading love. Merc loved his family so much, he never hesitated when it came to greeting everyone with a hug and kiss. He also loved his music, especially The Whispers. He would sing along to every song and to every song he would break into his dance routine. Merc was always a good time, in his presence you were guaranteed a good laugh and a lot of love. Merc was well known within the New Brunswick and Franklin communities. He really had a love for life that greatly enhanced as he built a family with his loving wife and children. Merc met the love of his life Bertha Brown in 1983 at the Week of the People’s annual event in Franklin Township. They were together for 36 years and married for 16 years, they have two children, Elliott and Charde.
Merc was predeceased by his wife Bertha Ann Brown-Sims, his parents George Sims, Sr. and Virginia (Elliott) Hagins, brothers Keith Sims and Tony Harrell. Left to cherish his memory are children, Elliott Tatum of New Brunswick, NJ and Charde Mezynski (Jonathan) of Somerset, NJ. Mother in-law Helen Brown, 8 grandchildren: Treyvion, Ziyun, Janiyah, Ezrah, Zariah, Zakii, Zelaia, and Baby Tatum (due to arrive April 2021). 9 siblings: George Sims (Yvette), Cheryl Miller (Tyrone), Gerry Scott-Higgins, Robin Harrell-Cheek (Darrell), Charlyn Sims-Scott (Tony), Arthur Harrell (Iris), Francine Sims, Denise Sims, Giles (Mook) Ward, brother-in law Joseph Wilson (Portia), 3 godchildren Tiffany Gourdine, Hasheem Miller-Ware, and Corey Statum and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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