On November 13th, the Winder Public Library dedicated its newly named Young Adult section to honor the life and legacy of Mary Louise Ford Sims, an influential educator, mentor, and community leader in Barrow County.

The ceremony held special meaning for me. I worked at the Winder Public Library in high school, and when I graduated from Winder-Barrow High School, I was blessed to receive both the Mary Ford Sims Scholarship and the Brotherhood Scholarship, opportunities that helped launch my journey. Now, 26 years into my teaching career, returning to this space to celebrate her legacy felt truly full circle.

Mrs. Sims served for many years as a Home Economics teacher at Glenwood Elementary and High School and continued shaping young minds throughout the Barrow County school system. Her dedication to education touched generations of students. She also established scholarships to support those pursuing higher education and remained active in numerous organizations throughout the community.

Mrs. Sims lived by one of her favorite quotes from Oscar Hammerstein:
“A bell’s not a bell ’til you ring it. A song’s not a song ’til you sing it. Love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay. Love isn’t love ’til you give it away.”
Those words beautifully reflect her spirit of service, generosity, and love.

Mrs. Sims passed away on March 24, 2021, at age 96, leaving behind a community deeply influenced by her leadership and heart.

During the dedication, I had the privilege of photographing many attendees whose lives she touched. Seeing Mrs. Sims’ grandchildren, Jerchiel Hill and Charlton Lay of Munich, my schoolmates, honor their grandmother’s name and legacy made the celebration special. Having my granddaughter there taking it all in made the moment even more meaningful, a reminder that Mrs. Sims’s legacy will continue to touch new generations.

The newly dedicated Young Adult section stands as a testament to Mrs. Sims’ belief in education, opportunity, and the power of giving back. Her legacy will continue inspiring young adults who walk through the library’s doors for generations to come.

I remain grateful for the scholarships that helped shape my path and honored to celebrate a woman whose influence continues to inspire generations.

Winder Public Library https://www.prlib.org/winder

City of Winder https://www.cityofwinder.com/community/explore/facilities/winder-public-library

EmoryRose Photography https://www.emoryrosephotography.com

Inspire Author Series https://www.instagram.com/inspireauthorseries/

Lens2Pens https://www.instagram.com/lens2pens/

A few photos from the event: