Betty Jean Sims, 81, of Chicago, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Casa of Hobart. She was born on October 19, 1944, in Omaha, NE, to the late Johnnie and Ollie (Brown) Sims. 

Betty is survived by her sister, Connie (Joseph) Jones; grandson, Devante Lange; niece, Samantha Kimbrew; nephews, Rashi (Teneika) Kimbrew, Torreyon Kimbrew, and Jared Jones; great nieces and nephews, Zion Ross, Zuri Ross, Talya Kimbrew, Zaliyah Kimbrew, Sanai Kimbrew, Maliyah Kimbrew, Shya Kimbrew, and Kylei Kimbrew; and a loving host of cousins. 

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her son, Antoine Lange. 

Betty proudly graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Education in the late 1970s from Chicago State University. She went on to teach primary school children for the Archdiocese of Chicago for over 40 years. Betty was also a member of Third Baptist Church of Chicago for over 30 years and was honorably baptized in the early 1980s.

Betty’s greatest joy was being able to teach and care for her students. Whether it be from daily tasks and classroom activities, to decorating her classroom for her students, to helping the children practice for programs and plays, Betty was a devoted part of her student’s lives and made it a daily goal to impact each of their lives in a positive way. 

In her spare time, Betty could be found getting her hair and nails done at the beauty salon or watching her beloved movies, whether it be at home or in the theater. 

Betty will best be remembered as a loving, sweet, and quiet lady, whose bubbly personality and jokes will be dearly missed by all who knew her. 

In accordance with the family’s wishes, cremation has been chosen. Calumet Park Funeral Chapel of Merrillville has been entrusted with Betty’s arrangements.