When Victoria Sims got into bed with her husband on March 12, she couldn’t have expected what would wake her just a few hours later.

In the middle of the night, Jimmy Lyons allegedly entered their bedroom, woke up the couple and began talking to Jermaine Sims Sr.

“The next thing I know, he shot him,” she said.

Victoria said Lyons then turned to her and shot her as well. Jermaine jumped up and tried to stop him.

Eventually the nightmare expanded to the Sims children as three of the four children were shot. Fourteen-year-old Takial Sims and 6-year-old Jermaine Sims Jr. both suffered gunshot wounds. Eight-year-old Keiyshune was able to escape unharmed.

On the morning of March 13, Jermaine Sr. and his 9-year-old daughter, Jamiyah, died from their injuries.

“It just really kind of hurts that something like this would happen,” Victoria said.

Victoria met Jermaine in 2002 and was first impressed by his sweet and charming nature.

“He was a God-fearing man,” she said. “He was loving, caring and had a humble spirit.”

Jermaine enjoyed working on cars and playing piano.

“He went out and bought his keyboard so he could practice,” she said.

She said he also had a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephews.

“We’re just very family-oriented people,” she said.

Victoria said Jamiyah was smart and was always reading. She had received the Mississippi Scholars award two years in a row.

“She liked reading and social studies,” Victoria said. “She read those ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ books.”

Victoria said Jamiyah loved to talk on the phone and dance.

“She was a good kid,” Victoria said.

Victoria, Takial, Keiyshune and Jermaine Jr. are now trying to cope with the emotional impact of such a tragic event.

“They’re doing fine, just taking it day by day,” Victoria said. “They’re just scared to be around other people.”

Victoria said the family attended Mighty God Missionary Baptist Church’s revival service Wednesday night. Victoria said Jermaine Jr. was nervous being in the crowd of people.

“Then he looked up, and he said he wanted to go up to where the pastor was,” she said.

Jermaine Jr. went to the front, and the congregation prayed over him and showed their love for him and his family.

The community has come together to help the Sims family. A group led by family members and Pastor Edward Dillon, of Mighty God Missionary Baptist Church, has established a benefit fund at Bank of Brookhaven.

Lyons was taken into custody early March 13 and has since been charged with two counts of murder and three counts of aggravated assault. A judge set his bail at $1 million Tuesday. During the initial appearance, Brookhaven Police Chief Bobby Bell said Lyons muttered that the shootings were in self-defense.

Lyons was living in the house at 1088 South First Street with the Sims family.