Susan Kymberlee "Kym" Sims, age 66 of Hendersonville, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 12, 2026.

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Kym spent her early childhood in Columbia, South Carolina, before moving to Hendersonville in the seventh grade. It was there that she met the love of her life almost immediately, Robert Kevin Sims, and they quickly developed a bond that would last a lifetime. The two graduated together from Hendersonville High School with the Class of 1978, where Kym served as captain of the cheerleading squad and was voted "Best Looking", before starring in a 1978 Mountain Dew campaign. Life briefly separated them as they entered adulthood, but their connection was rekindled during their ten-year high school reunion. Their childhood friendship soon blossomed into a lifelong romance, and their inevitable marriage was on September 23, 1989.

Raised in the Catholic faith, Kym devoted much of her adult life to the Methodist Church, where she faithfully served others through her greatest gifts, her hospitality and incredible ability to inspire others.

A passionate advocate for the arts, Kym believed that every person deserved the opportunity to discover their creative gifts. She served as Co-Founder and former President of the Hendersonville Performing Arts Company, originally known as Steeple Players Theatre, where she directed productions, mentored performers of all ages, inspired countless audiences and collaborators, and treated us all on the special occasions she took to the stage herself. The stage was her second home where she poured her heart, soul, sweat, and staged tears into every production she touched and person she encountered.

Kym's influence reached far beyond the stage. A gifted swim instructor for more than three decades, she taught thousands of students, from infants as young as three months to adults in their seventies, not only how to swim but also how to build confidence in and out of the water.

To know her was to eat from her table. She founded Lazy Susan Catering Company, a successful event and wedding catering business she lovingly operated for more than 30 years. Through her ministry of food and fellowship, she coordinated weekly Wednesday night dinners for fifteen years at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church and later for ten years at Gallatin First United Methodist Church, ensuring that every family felt welcomed and cherished around the table.

Her commitment to Hendersonville was extraordinary. Kym was an active member and former President of the Hendersonville Woman's Club, founder and chair of Hendersonville's "Fall into Art," chair of the Hendersonville Citywide Talent Gala for many years, chair of Relay for Life, and organizer of countless community events. She was honored as the inaugural Queen of Hendersonville, a fitting recognition for someone whose heart was devoted to serving her hometown. Whether serving as a homeroom parent, PTO president, homeroom grandparent, community volunteer, actress, director, event organizer, swim coach, or mentor, Kym gave herself wholeheartedly to every endeavor. She never stopped. If there was a need, Kym met it.

She loved an ice cold Coca-Cola, fresh crab legs, her grand-dog Princess Buttercup, Survivor, Big Brother, her Hendersonville community, and her family.

Kym is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 37 years, Robert Kevin Sims; her beloved children, Kamen and Melissa; her cherished grandson, Tristin; her parents, Lee and Helen Davis; her siblings, Joel (Lorainne), Andrea (Kent), and Kerry (Lisa); her nieces, Amanda, Brittany, Laila Ann, Alex, and Lucy; her nephew, Hoyt; and a multitude of family and dear friends whose lives are forever enriched by her kindness, encouragement, and boundless positivity.

She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Jennie Sue and Charles William Cowell.

To know Kym was to know someone who made every room brighter, every event better, every performance more meaningful, and every life she touched a little richer. She believed in people before they believed in themselves, celebrated every success as if it were her own, and gave freely of her time, talents, and love without expecting anything in return.

Beyond what she offered us all, beyond the unbreakable legacy she leaves behind, she was a brilliant woman who will be dearly missed.

Her family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Life service at 12:00 P.M., Monday, July 20, 2026 at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church. Visitation with Kym’s family will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026 from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. at Sumner Funeral & Cremation Lakeside in Hendersonville and again on Monday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

Arrangements Entrusted to: Sumner Funeral & Cremation Lakeside, Hendersonville (615) 822-4442 www.sumnerfuneral.com Proud to be family owned and operated.