C. O. Simpkins
C. O. Simpkins | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1992–1996 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cuthbert Ormond Simpkins January 13, 1925 Mansfield, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | December 4, 2019 (aged 94) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Elaine Shoemaker |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent |
|
| Education | Wiley College Tennessee State University Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry |
| Profession | Politician, dentist, civil rights campaigner |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
Cuthbert Ormond Simpkins Sr. (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 first married to Dorothy nee Herndon Simpkins. There were 4 children from this marriage. At the time of his passing he was married to Elaine nee Shoemaker Simpkins. There were no children from this marriage. Dr. Simpkins had a total of six children.
Mansfield's post office was renamed for him.[6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ 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]
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- 1925 births
- 2019 deaths
- People from Mansfield, Louisiana
- Democratic Party members of the Louisiana House of Representatives
- 20th-century American legislators
- United States Air Force officers
- Wiley University alumni
- Tennessee State University alumni
- Meharry Medical College alumni
- African-American state legislators in Louisiana
- American dentists
- 20th-century Louisiana politicians
- Louisiana politician stubs