Josiah R. Sims

Josiah Rashawn Isiah Sims-Staff was born to Erika Sims and Terry Stiff on December 28, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio. He was affectionately known as JoJo to his family and friends. He departed
this life on February 20, 2024, as a result of a horrific and senseless violent act.

Josiah attended Columbus city schools where he was in the tenth grade. He had aspirations of someday becoming a professional rapper. Some of his recordings are on YouTube. JoJo was a youth member of St. Mark A.M.E. Church. He was going to learn to play the drums under the instruction of Reverend Doretha Martin.

Josiah loved going to the Martin Luther King Library every day where he played video games on the computer. His favorite game was “Call of Duty”. He also enjoyed hanging out with his cousins
and uncles. A special thanks to his counselors who provided guidance and took him to city parks and restaurants.

He was preceded in death by his father, Terry Stiff; great-grandmothers, Frances Hicks and Marsue Rutledge; great-great-grandfather, George Sims, Sr.; great-aunt, Betty Allen; great-uncle, David Dennis; aunts, Marricha Johnson and Brithne Ray; uncle, Jonas Sims; and second cousin, James Bishop.

He leaves to mourn: his mother, Erika Sims Ellman; sister, Marrisha Lewis; grandfathers, Gary Payne and Richard Johnson; grandmother, Marla Sims Johnson; great-grandmother, Reverend
Dr. Doris Bowers; great-aunt, Joyce Summers; aunts, Nikeysha Johnson, Sheena Wilder, Debra Jones and Michelle Bishop; uncles, Brandon Ray, George Sims, Jr., Chad Sims, Jeremy Bowers, Sr., and John Bishop; favorite cousins, Jabias Curenton-Tengbeg and Zipporah Curenton; Special thanks to counselors, Orion Tucker, Anastasia Collier, and Christina Popp; and a host of cousins, other family members, and friends.

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