Dorothy Lynn Jinkins

Dorothy Lynn Jinkins, 88, of Dumas, TX, passed away on May 18, 2012, at Northwest Texas Hospital, in Amarillo, TX. She was born Dorothy Lynn Blaylock, on June 26, 1923 in Texas. At the age of 18, she married E.J. Jinkins, in October 1941, in Archer, Texas. Dorothy quickly settled in to married life, and she and E.J. had two sons, Shanty J. Jinkins, and Eddie J. Jinkins. She spent the first few years of her marriage as a homemaker. Being that a war was going on, times were not always easy, but Dorothy tried to make the best of what they had for her husband and children. She worked various jobs through the years, from store clerk, working in a laundry, to an aide in a hospital. E.J. worked the oil field, which led to the family moving often, to follow the next job. After her children were grown, Dorothy attended beauty school in Oklahoma. She soon decided it was not for her, and only did trims and shampoos. Later in life, Dorothy and E.J. began travelling with Moores Greater Show and later, the Top of Texas Carnival. They operated the rides, games of chance, and food vending carts. While with these two companies, they travelled far and wide, and were able to visit new places with every move. Her grandchildren still remember going to spend time in the summers with her, making candied apples, making cotton candy, and helping to run the games. Even after retiring from the carnival life, Dorothy kept in touch with friends she had made along the way. When Dorothy and E.J. grew tired of the travelling life, they moved to Perryton, TX, where they opened a pool hall. Their grandchildren remember going to visit them there, and learning to play snooker, pool, and dominoes from the patrons. They eventually retired to Archer, TX, where they had met, and had spent several winters. In 2001, Dorothy and E.J. moved to Dumas, TX to be closer to their family. When E.J. fell ill, Dorothy took it upon herself to be his main caretaker, and was by his side until he passed in 2005. Dorothys house was where all the grandchildren, and great grandchildren gathered during summer days, and after school. She would always have Hershey bars, and her refrigerator was always stocked with Dr. Pepper, which she would share with the children. Dorothy always had various supplies on hand, that she encouraged the children to use to draw, color, and make collages out of old magazines. This artwork became some of her most prized possessions. She was always happy to have family come visit her, and would tell stories of days gone by, which helped keep the family history alive, to this day. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, E.J. Jinkins, a son, Eddy J. Jinkins, a grandson, Spencer E.J. Jinkins, a granddaughter, Shanta Gay Jinkins, a brother, Perry Blaylock, and a brother, Jack Blaylock. Dorothy is survived by a son, Shanty J. Jinkins, and his wife, Margot , of Dumas, TX, a daughterinlaw, Ruthie Jinkins, of Pampa, TX, four grandsons, Charles L. Jinkins, and wife Leslie, Emory J. Jinkins and wife, Teri, Shanty J. Jinkins, II, and wife, Babette, and Gerhardt J. Jinkins, and wife, Niki, all of Dumas, TX, two granddaughters, Dotty Wolf Eucles, and fiance Shawn of Pampa, TX, and Edy McDowell, of Pampa, TX, twentyone great grandchildren Jason, Christopher, Mindy, Michael, Shana, Bryan, Brandy, Diondra, Eric, Seth, Shanty III Rugman, Ashley, Jasmine, Kayla, Alexis, Zach, Zachary, Lexi, Rhyse, Sydney, and Madysen. She is also survived by 15 great, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. A private memorial service for the family, close friends, and caretakers is planned. In memory of Dorothy, instead of flowers or donations, the family asks that each of you give a flower to a loved one, hug your child, call a parent to tell them you love them, or do a random act of kindness for a stranger.