Abbie Simmons-Grayson
Abbie Simmons-Grayson, Tuskegee University’s oldest living graduate, died earlier this month at the age of 110.
In addition to being Tuskegee’s oldest living alumna, Simmons-Grayson was also was the oldest living person in Alabama. In 2013, the Alabama House of Representatives recognized this distinction, issuing a resolution that hailed Simmons-Grayson as a “caring and loving” person and praised her life of service, according to a university news release.
Simmons-Grayson was born on April 29, 1904, in Tuskegee, to the late John Simmons, a professor, and Emmer Simmons. She was one of 10 children. She graduated from then-Tuskegee Institute in 1922. At the time of her death she had five children, 28 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren, and 32 great-great grandchildren.