Reba Sims Hull

Reba Sims Hull died peacefully at Still Hopes Retirement Community on Sunday, April 19, 2026, after a long illness. She was born January 6, 1932, in Columbia, SC to Winnie Reba Hiers Sims and James Farr Sims.

Reba was deeply loved by many as a gentle, giving and faithful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, cousin and teacher. She gave quietly and generously to those she loved and offered an open door and open heart in her home. Reba was a avid writer of handwritten notes ranging from heartfelt thank-you and condolence notes to yellow sticky notes left around the house. She leaves behind an enduring legacy of kindness as an example to all who knew her.

Reba is survived by her daughters Reba Campbell (David) of Columbia, SC and Elizabeth Foster of Mt. Pleasant; her grandson, John Ross Peters of Queens, NY; her sisters-in-law, Anne Burris Sims of Columbia and Phyllis Hull of Columbus, GA; niece LeDare Hull Windham (Bobby), and nephews Chip Hull (Laura) and Wesley Hull (Christy), and seven great-nieces and -nephews. Reba was pre-deceased by her husband, Rodney Ross Hull, and her brother, James Farr Sims, Jr.

Reba grew up in the Shandon neighborhood and attended Schneider School and Hand Junior High. She graduated from Dreher High School where she was editor of the school paper and wrote a column called “Reba’s Roundup.”

While at USC, Reba was the vice-president of Tri-Delta sorority and was involved with the student council and USC Religious Society. Upon graduation in 1954, she taught second grade at A.C. Moore Elementary School where she was beloved by her students – many of whom remember her fondly to this day.

Reba was a lifelong member of Trinity Cathedral and a sixth generation descendent of one of the church’s founders. As a young person, she enjoyed participating in high school and college activities at Trinity including the Canterbury Club and the choir.

In 1958, Reba married Rodney Ross Hull, a Hampton, VA, native who landed in Columbia by way of Fort Jackson. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage in Columbia where Reba was deeply involved in the community, in their church, and in their daughters’ and grandson’s lives.

Reba and Rod lived a full life grounded in family and friends. They shared with their daughters a love of the South Carolina coast and spent many summers combing the beach at Litchfield for shells and other treasures. Family trips to Virginia contributed to Reba’s love of the history, stories and architecture in Williamsburg, Virginia. When they built their home on Roslyn Drive in 1970, Reba meticulously designed the façade to mirror her favorite Williamsburg house, right down to the exact colors of paint.

Reba made sure that their home was always open to their daughters’ friends – hosting countless spend-the-night parties, pretend beauty pageants and high school gatherings in the downstairs playroom. There was always sweet tea in the fridge and lots of snacks in the pantry. When David married into the family, Reba welcomed him by darning his socks and promising him oyster pie every Christmas.

The community of neighbors on and around Roslyn Drive blessed Reba and Rod with many decades-long friendships that spanned generations. Their welcoming screened porch was the site of many engagement parties, altar guild luncheons, church gatherings, bridal showers, and family suppers, quiet evenings and celebrations.

Reba’s grandson, John, called her “Bulie,” and they shared a very special connection. He was her greatest blessing and brought her great joy watching him grow into the independent, creative, loving and successful young man he is today. Reba delighted in sharing her love of birds, shells and “The Sound of Music” with him. A trip to Nashville to visit John at college was a travel highlight of her life getting to meet his friends and share in his college experience.

Reba was devoted to Trinity Cathedral her entire life. Her most meaningful legacy at the church is her 50-plus years as an active member of the Altar Guild. Many younger Altar Guild members credit Reba for sharing with them her deep commitment to this ministry and gently offering her guiding hand that taught them about both the spiritual and practical elements of setting the altar table. Reba also served on the Vestry, was president of the Daughters of the Holy Cross and taught Sunday School at Trinity.

Reba was a member of the Junior League of Columbia, the Columbia Garden Club, the Palmetto Study Club and the National Society of the Colonial Dames in South Carolina. She and Rod were members of Forest Lake Club, the Camelia Ball, the Quadrille, the Palmetto Club and the Caprician Club.

Reba and Rod spent their later years living at the Still Hopes Retirement Community. They enjoyed this time in their lives sharing meals and socializing with old friends and neighbors as well as making dear new friends.

The family is grateful for the blessing of compassionate caregivers who were Reba’s dedicated care team at Still Hopes for almost five years. Sonia Fuller, in particular, was very special to Reba, caring for her during her entire stay in the Congaree Neighborhood.

The family invites friends and family to gather on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Palmetto Club, 1231 Sumter Street, from 5 – 7 p.m. A service and burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026 at Trinity Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street followed by a reception in Satterlee Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests anyone wishing to remember Reba make a contribution in her memory to the Still Hopes Resident Assistance Fund, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, PO Box 2959, West Columbia, SC 29171 or Trinity Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201.