1907

Ola Simmons

When Ola grew up her children and grandchildren often teased her about her "barefoot Arkansas" background.  She was born in Searcy, Arkansas.  The Simmons family moved to Texas when sOla was about two years old.  She could give you a pretty hefty "pinch" with her toes.  Look at the toes on this baby in the picture.

Baby Zada Belle & Ola Simmons
About 1910
The first two surviving children of Lily & Willis Edward Simmons
Arkansas (or perhaps east Texas)
All six of Ola’s brothers and sisters had two names. Ola only had one name.  During her teen years she self adopted the name “Dorothy” but no one would call her that, so she was always a “3 letter Ola”.

I don’t know when this was taken, but I am guessing it was probably her graduation picture.  Ola graduated from O’Donnell High School in 1927.  In the graduating class was her sister, Zada Bell Simmons DeBusk.

Both sisters attended their class’s 60 year reunion.  Six of the fourteen graduates were present.

Ola Simmons Williams graduated from O’Donnell High School (Texas)

Ola’s graduation present.  I know you can’t tell it now, but it was a beautiful handkerchief.