Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.â??Matthew 5:8Otis Martin Sims, Jr. was born on August 7, 1933 in Jacksonville, Florida to Otis Martin Sims, Sr. and Ruth Dixon Sims Luke. Otis, a true â??angel on earthâ?? arrived peacefully to be with his heavenly father on May 7, 2013.From an early age, it was apparent that Otis was destined for greatness. He joined and was baptized at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist in Jacksonville, Fla. Otis attended school in Duval County. His years at Stanton Senior High were filled with outstanding achievements and awards, having been voted â??most ambitiousâ?? by his senior class. After graduating from high school, Otis attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland for two years. He later enrolled in the United States Army and served in the Korean War. In 1960, Otis continued his education at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida where he was one of the first Charter Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He was also a member of â??Chico Papa Sonsâ?? an organization for armed service veterans. In college, Otis was nicknamed â??Big Oâ??. In 1961, Otis obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida. He married Sheila Mae Collins on June 8, 1963. Their union was blessed with one daughter, Terri Michelle Sims and a son, Otis â??Martyâ?? Martin Sims, III.Otis was employed with the United States Postal Service in Florida, taught school for several years, and later moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he worked for the Social Security Administration and retired in 1992. His gift of â??empathyâ?? led him to the Grady Health System where he worked as a Financial Counselor for an additional ten years.Otis was loved and respected by all who knew him. He possessed a great wealth of wisdom and humor, along with an outgoing personality. Otis demonstrated an uncanny ability to make others feel at ease and was a confidante to many. He exemplified the Christian life as a compassionate and loyal Sunday school teacher for more than twenty-five years having taught at Saint Phillips AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia and Bethel AME in Greensboro, North Carolina. He also served on the Deacon Board at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Otisâ?? warm, positive manner and strong desire to reach out to others impacted the lives of many and made him an inspiration to all. His presence will be truly missed, and the wisdom and love that he shared with others will remain in our hearts forever.Otis adored his family and friends and leaves memories of his love and faithfulness to: his former wife Sheila C. Sims, Children Terri Sims-Warren, and â??Martyâ?? Sims of Atlanta, GA; Grandchildren Devonte Sims of Knoxville, Tennessee, Spencer Knox Sims of Stone Mountain, GA, Jonathon Warren, and Nadia Warren; Brothers Rev. Gartrel L. Sims, Sr. (Vermel) of Jacksonville, Fla., and Jimmy McDonald of Titusville, Fla.; Sister Kerri R. Sims-Luke of Jacksonville, Fla.; Uncle Robert Dixon (Pauline) of Chicago, IL; Nieces Monica White, Shaâ??ron Randolph, Joyce Sims, and Vicky Collins of Jacksonville, Fla., Arlaine White and Lucille Woodard of Atlanta, GA, and Breone Collins of Tampa, Fla.; Nephews Gartrel L. Sims, Jr., Michael Sims, Ernest Woodard, and Micky Collins of Jacksonville, Fla.; Cousins Winston Dixon of Chicago IL, Willie Dixon, Joseph Alexander Jr., Rufus Alexander of Jacksonville, Fla., and William Alexander of Atlanta, Georgia, as well as a host of other family members, church family and friends.