Bernadette Sims

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bernadette Sims, 82, of Shalimar, Florida, on December 28, 2025.

Bernadette was born on August 25, 1943, in Mobile Alabama, and was the daughter of the late John "Woody" Stone and Vera Faulkner. As a young girl, she began taking ballet lessons and fell in love with the beauty and grace of dance. It was an obvious calling for her, and after graduating high school, she was offered a position in the prestigious Joffrey Ballet in New York City by Robert Joffrey himself. However, she turned down her love for dance to follow her heart, and wed Vernon "Bill" Clements, her high school sweetheart.

Upon moving to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, she found another way to share her love of dance by opening her own dance studio, founding the Fort Walton Beach Ballet (currently the Northwest Florida Ballet) not long after, bringing nationally renowned choreographers to enhance her students' training. Bernadette is credited as a pioneer of dance in northwest Florida, serving as both the president of the State Dance Association of Florida and president of the Southeastern Regional Ballet Association. While she dedicated a large portion of her life to dance, she also was equally dedicated to raising three children (Enger, Patrick, and Scott). After Bill passed away, she continued building her dance legacy and found love again, marrying William Sims and converting to Catholicism.

After over 50 years serving the community through ballet, Bernadette retired from dance but continued to develop her artistic abilities. She cultivated her love of art by becoming an avid visual artist through both watercolor and photography. She was a proud member of the Arts and Design Society and was a founder and board member of Okaloosa Public Arts for many years, again serving as president. She was instrumental in helping bring art to public places, including the county administrative building and the Emerald Coast Herons. She continued to be a prolific artist the rest of her life.

Bernadette was a mentor, generous in spirit, humble, and a tour de force. She touched many lives and made a positive, lasting impact on anyone fortunate enough to interact with her. In her private life, she was always thinking of others and constantly finding ways to quietly support anyone she could, especially her family members and close friends. She offered unconditional love and an open heart.

Bernadette is survived by her husband William Sims; her three children Enger Dickey, Patrick Clements, and Scott Clements; and her sisters Bonita Deck and Frances Thompson. She is so loved and will be greatly missed. A visitation will be held at Emerald Coast Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 7, from 5-7 p.m. with a short program starting at 6 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at St. Mary's on Thursday, January 8 at 11:00 a.m. Burial services at Beal Memorial Cemetery are private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers please donate to a nonprofit of your choice.