Alberta Louise Simms

On November 11, 2021, Alberta Louise Simms passed from this earthly life into the presence of God to worship Him in assurance of His promise of eternal life.  She was born on October 18, 1920, daughter of Albert and Alice Simms in Beverly, MA.  The eldest of four children, Alberta was predeceased by two brothers, Frederick and Robert Simms.  She leaves the youngest of this blessed family, her sister, Martha Alice Simms and extended family, Grace Berry and nine nieces and nephews. Alberta graduated from Beverly High School and pursued a Bible School education.  She graduated from Gordon College of Bible and Missions, then located in Boston, in 1942.  Gordon College is now located in Wenham, MA.

With both academic and theological education, she followed God’s call to become a cross-cultural missionary and joined SIM, an international missionary organization.  She completed 25 years of faithful ministry as a teacher.  With a colleague, she started Sura Girl’s home in Niger Republic, West Africa.  The home provided for an average of 35 girls, some orphaned, others brought just for the Christian home environment.  She learned Hausa, a West African trade language, and was able to speak, read and write very well.  This enabled her to keep up correspondence and encouragement to many of these now adult women over the years of her retirement.  Several of these women married pastors, evangelists and other Christian leaders, continuing the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After 20 years, the Sura Girl’s home closed. Alberta returned to the U.S. for one year, expecting to return to Niger; however, during that year her mother passed away and Alberta remained home to care for her father until his death.  Already at retirement age, Alberta then returned to Niger for 5 more years, teaching at the Aguie Bible School.

On retirement, Alberta moved to the SIM Retirement Village in Sebring, FL. Together with her sister Martha, they enjoyed life and fellowship there with fellow missionaries.  In 2018, they moved from their single-family home in the Village to the Assisted Living Facility, where they had a two-room suite and supportive care, yet still enjoyed the activities of the SIM family. After a quick onset of illness and one night in the hospital and one week of Hospice support, Alberta passed peacefully into the presence of God.

A service to remember Alberta’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, November 19, 2021, at the SIM Chapel located at 900 Andes Dr., Sebring, FL

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the SIM Retirement Village, 4114 Nigeria St., Sebring, FL 33875.