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NORTH MECKLENBURG HIGH SCHOOL

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

NMHSAA • P.O. Box 655 • Huntersville, NC • 28070

Herman Dewitt "Bud" Mims

December 31, 1938 - June 22, 2003

Mr. H.D. "Bud" Mims, 64, of Kings Mountain, died on Sunday, June 22, 2003, following a brief battle with cancer.

A native of Cornelius, NC, Mr. Mims was born on December 31, 1938, the son of McDaniel and Frances Haynes Mims of the Derita Community. Mr. Mims graduated from North Mecklenburg High School in 1957. He was a starting second baseman on the "57 State Championship Baseball team.

While at Charlotte College (UNCC), his study in engineering fostered an innate talent for conceptual machine design. His successful engineering career began with the Bouligny Company, but also included Allied Chemical, Duff-Norton and Celanese. It was Mr. Mims 's entrepreneurship, however, that led him to start Machine Builders and Design, in 1974. In 1982, he relocated the business to Shelby, NC, and concentrated mainly on the design and fabrication of snack food equipment for the baking industry, supplying solutions for companies such as Kraft-Nabisco, Kellogg-Keebler and Little Debbie.

One of Mr. Mims 's machines - The Cookie Capper - set the standard worldwide for creme sandwiching technology. During his career, he sold equipment in over thirty-seven countries and holds multiple patents on equipment he designed.

While a member and employee of Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte, he aided in the design of their existing multi-functional church facility. In Shelby, being an avid golfer, he helped design Deer Brook Golf Course in Shelby, NC, and Tauqueta Falls Golf Course near Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. In addition, Mr. Mims was an accomplished horse trainer.

Mr. Mims became a Christian at an early age and continued throughout his life, being involved in church and missionary work. While still at Northside Baptist Church, he served as the church business manager, a divisional captain in the bus ministry, Sunday school department head, a tenor in the church quartet, and a member of the school board. Upon moving to Shelby, he founded Shelby Christian School, which encompassed kindergarten through grade 12. In 1984, Mr. Mims purchased the Missionary Plantation property in Rutherford County, renaming it Harvest Time Bible Camp. This camp became a passion for him as he refurbished the facilities and established a program centered on spiritual development for young people. Every summer, campers enjoy the recreational and equestrian facilities while making life-changing decisions regarding their walk with Christ. Success from his business allowed Mr. Mims to fund missionaries throughout the world. He was a member of Cramerton Free Will Baptist Church. He was married to Donna Bryan Brackeen on May 2, 1992.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Bryan Mims ; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Dana Mims of Mount Holly, NC, Darryl and Renita Mims of Rome, GA, Barry and Annette Mims of Las Vegas, NV; daughter and sons-in-law, Charlaine and Steva Karem of Raleigh, NC; stepsons, Timothy Brackeen and wife, Mikel of Polkville, NC, Stephen Brackeen and wife Heather of Durham, NC; and stepdaughter, Laura Brackeen of Kings Mountain, NC. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren. Other survivors include former wife, Marilyn Mims ; and 2 brothers, Howard Mims and McDaniel Mims , both of Charlotte. Preceding Mr. Mims in death, in addition to his parents, are sister, Jean Markham, twin sister, Daisy Marshall and granddaughter, Emma Lindsey Mims .