C. O. Simpkins

For his son of the same name, see Cuthbert Ormond Simpkins.

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]

C. O. Simpkins
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
In office 1992–1996
Personal details
Born	Cuthbert Ormond Simpkins (1925-01-13)January 13, 1925 Mansfield, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	December 4, 2019(2019-12-04) (aged 94)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Elaine Shoemaker
Parent	Oscar Simpkins (father)
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

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.

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