Dorothy G. “Dottie” Jenkins

Jenkins, Dorothy “Dottie,” (nee: Wilson, O’Lary), of St. Charles, MO died on February 15, 2016, at the age of 91.  She was born August 14, 1924 to James and Angeline Wilson of St. Charles, Missouri.

Dottie left home at an early age and married Frank Nelson who was in the Army and from Birmingham, Alabama. Far away from family and friends she began a new life as a military wife. She had three children, Elizabeth Lou Short “Betty Lou”, Beckey Angelene Scott, & Stevie “Caboose”.

Dottie was happy being a stay-at-home mom to her three children until tragedy struck one day. On June, 1954 her little boy Caboose died. This is an event that Dottie held dear in her heart and always spoke of how she would see her little boy again in Heaven.

Eventually, Dottie made her way back home to St. Charles and began to work in a variety of jobs. Dottie was always wanting to learn new things so she never stayed in one position for too long.

One job that she truly loved was working at a place called First Photo. First Photo was a company that worked with newborn photos. Dottie always loved to make up stories about the babies as she packed them and the photos always made her smile. While she worked at First Photo, she entertained everyone with her “antics” and her wild sense of humor (which we will keep private at this time).

Dottie had a rollercoaster life filled with ups & downs as most of us do, but she was never one to stay down for too long. She had a very eventful life and made friends easily. There was never a dull moment when she was around, always a story to tell, and always one in the making. She made friends wherever she went, never met a stranger, and was always willing to help anyone in need.

When Dottie was young she loved to roller skate and dance the jitterbug. She developed a love for photography and the family joke was that Granny would always catch you on film if you weren’t careful. If you came to Dottie’s house, you would see an entire wall in her living room has always been dedicated to those she loved. No matter how many times she moved she always had a wall decorated with pictures, probably 100 or more.

Her outgoing personality allowed her to experience life to the fullest, she loved playing tricks and telling jokes. After retirement, Dottie enjoyed eating out with friends and donated money at the “boat” (Ameristar Casino). She was a lifetime member of the Royal Order of the Moose Lodge and a member of Borromeo Church where she attended services regularly.

Dottie was married to Fred Jenkins for 28 years. He preceded her in death in November, 2013.   Dottie is survived by two daughters: Elizabeth “Betty Lou” (Nelson) Short of St. Charles and Beckey Angelene (Nelson) Scott (Brian) of Canton, Georgia; adopted brother Wayne Wilson and beloved Grandmother of Kimberly “Kim” (Short-Zaki-Martinez) Stahlschmidt (Kyle), Carrie (Sagos) Uzzell (Michael), Timothy Short (Susan), Callie (Sagos) Goodnick (Ron), Cassie (Sagos-Saare) Lewis (Michael), Michelle “Shelly” Steiner (Matt), and Andrew Mitts; treasured great-grandmother of Rutger (Hannah) & Liddia Saare (Mike), Courtnie (Laramie) Wideman (Jimmy), Cadie Willis, & Cammie Goodnick,  Jake, Cole, & Chance Uzzell, Kara Stahlschmidt, & Grace Steiner; great-great-grandmother of 4. Aunt of Karen (LeClaire) Tecklenberg & Joe LeClaire.

She is preceded in death by her son Stevie “Caboose” Wilson, and her siblings, Woodrow “Woodie” Wilson, Claire Teckenburg, Grace McCue , Elsie Lueck, Agnes “Kitty” LeClaire, Sid Wilson, and Edie Capuano

Before her death, Dottie/Granny made it clear that she was not to be cried over but remember with humor and good cheer! Two of her favorite saying was - live life now - you never know what is around the corner & cry if you must but wipe your tears, put on your lipstick and have a plan!

She was dearly loved, and will be missed by everyone.

It is said that your life cannot truly end when your soul leaves your body. If you have loved and have been loved, your life in woven into the lives of your loved ones. In that regard, our loved one can never die. She is, forever, woven into me.

She recently passed on, and boy… was she a funny lady. She was known far and wide for her candor and lack of filter. You have to go on three dates before you make a decision about a relationship. You have to go to three classes before you drop the course. You have to strike out three times before you’re sent back to the bench.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.