Dolores Jenkins

Dolores “Doe” Jenkins, 86, of Middlesboro, KY, passed away quietly on November 25, 2021 at the Tri State Health and Rehabilitation Center in Harrogate, TN, where she had resided since November of 2019.

Doe was born June 13, 1935 at the family farmhouse of her grandparents in Oak Vale, WV.  Her parents moved to Oak Ridge, TN in 1942, when it truly was the “Secret City”.  At that time, all residents were required to have ID badges and could only enter the city through security gates.

She graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1953.  Later, during the Fall of that year, she enrolled at Lincoln Memorial University.  It was during her sophomore year that she met Bobby Jenkins, a senior.  After Bob’s graduation, they were married in 1955.  They moved to Middlesboro, KY where Doe knew she wanted to live the rest of her life, where she felt she was “home” at last.

She loved her community.  In the early 1960’s Doe had received the honor of being “Outstanding Junior League Clubwoman of Kentucky”, an honor which she highly cherished.  She was also accomplished in being chairwoman of the “Cerebral Palsy Drive:, camp director of the area Girl Scout Camp, and the Bell County Center for Handicap Children, an accomplishment she was most vested in.  She saw the handicapped center through to it’s fruition.  Sadly, a badly damaged back eventually took her out of much of public service.

In later years, Doe loved decorating for Halloween, which included “Pumpkin Alley”, with her being known as the “Picture Lady”.  She would take pictures of the costumed children and post the pictures on her door for the next year.  Christmas decorating was also a favorite thing to do.

Through many years of marriage to her husband Bob, they hosted many parties and gatherings at their home.  She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her father, William B. Motley, her mother, Willie Mae Motley and her husband, Bobby M. Jenkins.  She leaves behind her son, Stephen (Lynn) Jenkins, grandson, Andrew (Emma) Jenkins, great granddaughter, Sophie Grace Jenkins, one niece, 7 nephews, plus her honorary son and dear family friend, Mr. Dana Greene.

The family will be holding a very private service with Doe and Bob’s cremated remains.

In lieu of flowers, please give the birds a bag of bird seed, or a dog a box of treats, or even a stray cat a pat.  This would please her more than flower ever would.

Online condolences and guestbook are available at www.cawoodfh.com

Cawood Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.