Alberta Berniece Simms

Alberta Berniece (Kennedy) Simms was born October 29, 1923 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to DeLacy Kennedy and Ada H. (Goudeau) Kennedy. She graduated from Uganda Martyrs Catholic High School in 1941. Alberta married the love of her life, Grant Simms, in July 26, 1941. She was an interior decorator and worked along side her husband for forty plus years. They owned Simms Interior Exterior Design Company. Alberta attended Uganda Martyrs Catholic Church in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
Alberta was preceded in death by her parents: DeLacy and Ada Kennedy; her siblings: Lucille J. Brooks, Mattie B. Henson, DeLacy Kennedy, Jr., Bennie Gene Kennedy and her husband: Grant Simms who passed away March 3, 1987.
Alberta was active in school and community work. She worked with the Okmulgee County Commissioner's office to repair the county's rural roads. She was very active in national, state, and local politics. She was a leader in the Democratic Party.

In 1997, she gave the commencement address at Preston High School, over 40 years after she had worked to integrate the school system. Her oldest son Mark was the first African-American student to attend Preston Public Schools.

A faithful volunteer at Marion Academy Elementary School in Okmulgee, OK, Alberta enjoyed working in the library with the children, helping with reading and book selection. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting.
She is survived by her sister: Loletha M. Prudom of Tulsa; her brother: Elmer G. Kennedy and his wife, Gwen of Okmulgee; her son: Mark E. Simms and his wife: Josephine of Oklahoma City; her daughter: Brenda J. Moore and her husband: Kenneth of Broken Arrow; her son: Grant Wayne Simms and his wife: Lisa of Beggs; her grandchildren: Mark E. Simms, Jr. and his wife: Angela; Cedric Darnell Simms, Sonja Jo Simms, Curlonda Monique Simms, KaSondra Gayle Moore, Kimberly Denese Moore, Kandice Marie Moore, Kristopher Michael Moore, Adam Wayne Simms, Andrew Thomas Simms; three great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and acquaintances.
Memorial donations can be made to the Alberta B. Simms Memorial Scholarship Fund C/O Citizens Security Bank at P. O. Box 1117, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 74447.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 25th at St. Matthews Baptist Church, 1001 E. Chicago Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Reverend McKinley Rice will officiate.
Arrangements were entrusted to Daniel C. Schaudt of Schaudt's Glenpool Funeral Service & Cremation Care. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com