Shawndameon Simms

Shawndameon Simms was born on February 26, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan. Shawn was a man of quiet strength and genuine kindness. He had a way of making people feel seen, heard, and valued. Shawn had a sense of humor that was loved by many. When he would walk into any room, his jokes and positive attitude would fill up the atmosphere. Shawn lived with purpose and that purpose was to serve while he was on this earth. Though it sounds minimal being a giver and serving is one of the most profound missions to be given by God because it requires you put others needs and wants before yourself and that was Shawn.

From birth Shawn was a humble spirit and his main concern was to make sure everyone else around him was taken care of even if that meant he went without. Shawn was a quiet giver. Anything he did was from the heart and with a genuine attitude. Paying peoples rent, buying furniture, paying car notes, buying school clothes and shoes for people's children, and giving people money to buy food. Those are just a few of the many acts of service that Shawn did for people continuously not asking for anything in return.

Shawn had an impact on so many people and being recognized for his acts of service was not something that was a priority for him. Going back to childhood and teenage years, Shawn did a rendition of Johann Sebastian Bach along with his music teacher and another classmate at his school, Hyde Park Elementary. He played the leading part as the preacher in the play Purlie Victorious written by Ossie Davis at Withrow High School. After graduating from high school, Shawn entered into the medical field and was employed at places such as UC Hospital, Christ Hospital, and latest employment before his passing; Blueridge Vista Behavioral Hospital. Shawn also worked in construction where he had the opportunity to help renovate several homes in the Cincinnati area.

Shawn was extremely gifted in the arts. Coming from a musically inclined family, Shawn had an ear for music and was blessed with the ability to play the drums without having any professional lessons. He also had the gift of drawing and writing poetry. Shawn won first place for a poem that he wrote; and he was honored at a banquet held at the Radisson Hotel in Covington, Kentucky.

The Simms family started off as members of The House of God Church on Simpson in College Hill under the leadership of Bishop Charles Miller where Shawn was a choir member and served on the usher board. After The House of God, Shawn came to Union Baptist Church at the tender age of 14; later becoming a member and getting baptized.

Shawn first served as a Cub Scout with the Dan Beard Council Scouting of America and later becoming a Boy Scout at Union Baptist under the leadership of Rev. Alvin Wyatt. During his time at Union, he also served as a youth usher, choir member, and took on the role of a true servant helping with any program or event that the church was having; and recently joining the Male Chorus.

Shawn leaves behind to celebrate his life, Mother: Shirley Simms; Sister: Shawana Simms and a host of Cousins and Friends.

We love you Shawn, until we meet again in that beautiful place called Heaven.