The Dumas Housing Authority Simpkins Manor is named in honor of Dumas Resident Mose Simpkins.
Mose Simpkins, born March 21, 1902 and died December 1, 1979. He was the eleventh of fifteenth children born to George and Charity Simpkins in Reedville, AR. He only received a 3rd grade education. He is the father of 13 children.
Mose Simpkins worked as a community activist, advocate and a community servant for Dumas' African American Community. He organized and served as the first president of the Dumas NAACP Chapter. In this role, he helped to fight discrimination and voting laws written to suppress black voters rights.
He worked for a variety of causes in the Dumas Community. He assisted with the integration of Dumas Schools and for black teachers to have equal pay. As an activist, he delivered food basket to families in need and helped to secure employment for many unemployed Black youth and adults. He also volunteered as legal counsel for those who could not afford a lawyer and was even told to stop representing people in court or risk being arrested for practicing law with out a license.
Simpkins worked for his community even when faced with challenges.
“He organized volunteers to assist and drive people to register to vote and vote also. He also at his own expense would drive many miles to pick up commodities, food each month to help feed the needy, elderly and the undeserved in the community,” Onie Norman said. “He addressed the disparities of economics and the quality of life that paralyzed the African American Community. He was a dedicated community servant and advocate for equal rights and justice for the African American Community.”
