C. O. Simpkins

Cuthbert Ormond Simpkins Sr. (January 13, 1925 – December 4, 2019) was a 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 children.

Mansfield's post office was renamed for him.^[6][7]

References

1. 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.
2. Ferrell, Scott. "Founding member of Southern Christian Leadership Conference Dr. C.O. Simpkins dies at 94". The Times.
3. "CIVIL RIGHTS GALA". touch.npaper-wehaa.com.
4. "Dr. C.O. Simpkins (1925–2019) – North Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition".
5. Johnson, Charles (December 5, 2019). "Shreveport's father of Civil Rights Dr. C. O. Simpkins dies". KOKA The Heart of Gospel.
6. "PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS CASSIDY, JOHNSON BILL TO RENAME POST OFFICE AFTER DR. C.O. SIMPKINS SR. INTO LAW | Bossier Press-Tribune". bossierpress.com.
7. https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ204/PLAW-116publ204.pdf^{[bare URL PDF]}