Miss Simpkins... SPHS sophomore biology teacher

In the fall of 1963, I had Miss Ethel Simpkins for homeroom.
At the time, I thought she was just sorta weird. Anyone who
would wear a pet chameleon on her shoulder attached to a small gold chain was definitely weird. I now realize that
Miss Simpkins wasn't weird at all, she was merely unique.
Amazing what 40+ years does for one's perspective.

Anyway, I was wondering if any Greenies have any info about Miss Simpkins? I spoke with Mrs. Beatrice Buller (SPHS
French/German teacher)about a month ago. She told me she was fairly certain that Miss Simpkins had died, but didn't remember any of the specifics: date of Miss Simpkins' death; funeral service; place of burial; etc.

If anyone has any info, I would certainly appreciate receiving it. I'd like to be able to forward the info to
a long-lost nephew of Miss Simpkins whom I met recently.

Thanks

If my memory serves me right Miss Simkins was in a Nursing home when she passed. You might go to southeatexaslive.com which is Beaumont Paper and it might be in the archives. Just a suggestion. Miriam

She certain was unique! Who doesn't remember her. lol
Everybody was really on guard to not move their feet an inch without first checking to see what was under the table! That big iguana just might be lurking there, flicking its tongue at ya.

It certainly was an unusual class!

Paul, did you ever find the details of her last years in the archive of the Beaumont paper? Is that suppose to be, "southeasttexaslive.com" Mariam?

I had Miss Simpkins almost everybody had her. Does anybody remember where she lived? I shall never forget when I saw her one weekend.

Miriam, If my memory serves me right. Ms. Simpkins lived across the street about the hardware store. She was also my home room teacher and as everyone I thought she was strange and was glad I didn't have her, but talking with my sister, she said she was a very nice lady and was friends with some of her students. Lynda

She was a tiny little lady and most of her students towered over her. But her size surely wasn't a reflection of her proficiency as a teacher. She was always well-prepared, gracious, friendly, efficient, and could handle even the toughest kid with relative ease. Everyone should have been blessed with a fine teacher such as Miss Simpson.

We had many great teachers in South Park, each one contributing to building our characters in their own unique way. Wouldn't it be fun to return to those days, peek through the classroom doorways and see them all going about their teaching duties? May God bless them all.

Miss Simpkins lived across the street over the store that was next to the babar shop. She drove that blue mustang with the venetian blind in the back window. I had her and she was unique. Plus she did not make me disect a frog and for that I was very thankful.

Boy you were lucky.

Miss Simpkins was one of my favorites! She explained to me how the diaphragm works and cured me forever from hiccups! Take a deep breath and swallow three times. Works every time! Never works for my wife, though. Must be mental.
Paul, 1962