Not to be confused with Cuthbert Ormond Simpkins II
Cuthbert Ormond Simpkins (January 13, 1925 – December 4, 2019) was an American dentist, civil rights campaigner, and state legislator in Louisiana. He left the state under threat of violence before returning.[1]
He was born in Mansfield, Louisiana to Oscar Simpkins.[2] He studied at Wiley College and graduated from Tennessee State University with an undergraduate degree. He received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee.[3]
He served in the U.S. Air Force.[4] He was a founding member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He lived in Shreveport.[2] His home and office were firebombed.[3]
He lived in New York for 26 years before returning to Shreveport.[3] A Democrat, he served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1992 to 1996.[5]
He was married to Elaine nee Shoemaker Simpkins. There were no children from this marriage. Dr. Simpkins had a total of five children.
Mansfield's post office was renamed for him.[6][7]
References
- ^ Home, Heavenly Gates Funeral. "Obituary for Dr. Cuthbert "CO" Simpkins, Sr. | Heavenly Gates Funeral Home". Obituary for Dr. Cuthbert "CO" Simpkins, Sr. | Heavenly Gates Funeral Home.
- ^ a b Ferrell, Scott. "Founding member of Southern Christian Leadership Conference Dr. C.O. Simpkins dies at 94". The Times.
- ^ a b c "CIVIL RIGHTS GALA". touch.npaper-wehaa.com.
- ^ "Dr. C.O. Simpkins (1925–2019) – North Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition".
- ^ Johnson, Charles (December 5, 2019). "Shreveport's father of Civil Rights Dr. C. O. Simpkins dies". KOKA The Heart of Gospel.
- ^ "PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS CASSIDY, JOHNSON BILL TO RENAME POST OFFICE AFTER DR. C.O. SIMPKINS SR. INTO LAW | Bossier Press-Tribune". bossierpress.com.
- ^ https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ204/PLAW-116publ204.pdf [bare URL PDF]