Hattie Johnson, born July 11, 1914. Her mother was Nannie Jenkins, who died at child birth. She was adopted by Lulu  and Oliver Supenbeck (her uncle) and raised by them in St. Louis, Missouri.

An inquisitive child, she spent much of her childhood venturing around her neighborhood, getting to know many of the various ethnic groups residing in downtown St. Louis.

As a teenager, she attended and graduated from Sumner High School and worked as a beautician until she became pregnant with her son Harry. She married Curtis Portwood, a musician at the time.

Later, she married John Simms. As an independent contractor, she took up the occupation of housekeeping for several wealthy individuals until her retirement in 1984. Her last husband was Clarence Gordon.

Over the past 5 years she resided in an independent living facility, managing her own finances and maintaining her busy lifestyle. She has traveled nationally and internationally.