Dorothy Lynn Gaines-Jenkins

Dorothy Lynn Gaines Jenkins was born on August 9, 1946 in Bessemer, Alabama to the late William and Virginia Gaines. She was the fourth oldest of fourteen children. She is preceded in death by her husband, Timothy L. Jenkins and four siblings: Bobby Gaines, William Gaines, Ruby Gaines Russell, and Charles Gaines. Dorothy loved Jesus and loved her family. She used her gift of teaching to bless everyone she could. Dorothy was a committed educator and servant leader for over fifty years. Her desire to serve the Lord, her family, and her community began during her youth in Bessemer, Alabama. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age and enjoyed teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible while in high school. Dorothy loved being an educator. She formally became an educator in 1969 after graduating from Kentucky State University in Louisville, Kentucky where she majored in Secondary English Education and minored in French Language and Culture. She began her teaching career at West Mifflin Area School District in 1969 and retired from the same district in 2006. During her thirty-six year career, Dorothy worked tirelessly as a committed servant leader. She spent countless hours helping children and adults in school and in her home. In addition to teaching, she sponsored the Rotary and Interact Community Service organizations, hosted cultural trips to France for the French Club, coached soccer and volleyball, and produced school plays. Dorothy was truly a pioneer in her field. Dorothy loved serving the Lord. She lived her Christian faith without reservation. She faithfully worked as a Christian servant leader in the church and community for decades at St. Paul Baptist Church in Donora, Pennsylvania and the First Baptist Church in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. For the past thirty years, Dorothy served at First Baptist in various church leadership and ministry roles including Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher for the Adult Class, Director of the Board of Christian Education, Director of Vacation Bible School, President of the Deaconess Board, Instructor for First Baptist Church’s Minister’s School, Church Custodian, and Church Treasurer. In these roles, she often and lovingly opened her home to youth in the community and members of the church. Her willingness to serve in any capacity is indeed an example for many to follow and an absolute legacy to continue. Dorothy loved her family. She met her husband, Timothy L. Jenkins at Kentucky State, and they married in 1968. After college, they moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised four children. Dorothy always believed that her first ministry was to her family. Through her obedience, sacrifice, hard work, and God’s grace, Dorothy put all four of her children through college and inspired her daughters to become educators like her and earn their doctorate degree in education. Dorothy was extremely close to her son –in-law, Laudemiro and daughter-in-law, Tiffany with whom she enjoyed sharing the Word of God. Dorothy also held a close and special bond with her sisters. She cherished every moment of talking and laughing with her sisters everyday. Dorothy loved her grandchildren and nurtured a very special relationship with each of them. She was extremely active in their life and valued every moment with them including reading books and Bible stories with them to taking them on vacation. Dorothy watched more hours of jump rope competitions as well as basketball, volleyball and football games than one could count. Her grandchildren loved her and enjoyed the time they spent with her too. Her youngest grandchild, Yannick, climbed in her arms in the last days waiting for her open her eyes one last time. Dorothy entered eternal peace on August 1, 2020. She leaves to cherish her life of love four children: Lynnie Jenkins Esq., Timothy W. (Tiffany) Jenkins Sr., Drs. Dorcas (Laudemiro) Francisco, and Dr. Kellee Jenkins; seven grandchildren: Jade Harris, Timothy W. (TJ) Jenkins Jr., Mayah Francisco, Matthew Jenkins, Joaquim (Quino) Francisco, Luke Jenkins, and Yannick Francisco; ten siblings Ernestyne Thomas, Raymond (Yvonne) Gaines, Janice Lamb, Jackie (Percy) Hall, Dean (Michael) Foster, Shirley (Ronald) Storey, Jeanie (Danny) Lawson, Floyd (Tammy) Gaines, and Nikita Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.

Tributes

Dorothy Lynn Gaines-Jenkins

August 9, 1946 - August 1, 2020