Doris Ann Jenkins, daughter of the late Leon and Ada Dotson, was born on May 31, 1948, in Hurlock, MD. She exchanged life for glory on March 30, 2026, at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Cambridge, Maryland.

She received her education in Caroline County; First at Jonestown Elementary School and later at Lockerman High School, where she graduated in 1966. Doris took her business courses at Lockerman to prepare as a secretary. After graduation, Doris moved to Washington D.C. and was employed as a secretary at the American Medical Association. After five years, she transitioned to the Department of Commerce to begin her position as a financial analyst. Doris loved her position because it always challenged her. Doris retired from the Department of Commerce in 2008.

Whenever there was a family gathering you could always count on Doris being there with her specialties like potato salad, fried cabbage and peaches and cream. Doris loved her family. She was the life of the gathering because she kept everybody laughing. At an early age, Doris attended Johns Church in Preston, Maryland, which later merged with two churches and became Mount Calvary United Methodist Church. In her spare time,

Doris enjoyed playing bingo, traveling, and watching football and basketball games. Her favorite football teams were the original Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens. Her favorite basketball team was the Los Angeles Lakers. She loved watching her favorite player LeBron James. Doris was known as the family attorney because she was highly skilled in working with federal, state, and local agencies to obtain health and financial benefits for the family. Doris found her greatest joy maintaining a loving and caring relationship with “Her special nieces, Za, Ren, Noey, Oyin, Echo, Birdie, and nephews, Ace, Karsyn, and Turtle.” They affectionately called her Tootsie. Doris would spend hours talking with her special phone friends, Paulette (Michael) Samuels, St. Johns, IN; Janetta Smith, Oxon Hill, MD; Janice Semper, Las Vegas, NV; Dorothy Collins, Lanham, MD; Concheeta Wright (Joseph), Bowie, MD; Dee Williams (late husband Mr. Cane), Beltsville, MD; Lorraine Collins and Victoria Blandford both of Temple Hills, MD.

She was a lovable, friendly person who was always willing to listen and give advice. Before Doris gave advice, she would begin with “Square Business.” Doris appreciated life with dignity and purpose dedicating herself to excellence in all endeavors. To know her is to love her.

She leaves to cherish her memory; two brothers, Roscoe (Janet) Dotson, Hurlock, MD; Ralph (Jackie) Dotson, Cambridge, MD; four sisters, Shirley Small, Federalsburg, MD; Mary Dotson, and Wanda Dixon, Cambridge, MD; Marlene Dotson, Horn Lake, MS; and bonus sisters, Roberta (Bertie) Butler, Federalsburg, MD, Laura (Leonard) Stern, Hurlock, MD; goddaughters, LaShonda Dotson, Easton, MD; Deja Semper, Forestville, MD; Kendall Smith, Owings Mills, MD; sister-in-law, Ellen Dotson, Hurlock, MD; special nieces, Za’Aire (Za) Sampson, Serenity (Ren) Sampson, Noelle (Noey) Sampson, Easton, MD; Oyin Joshua, Annapolis, MD; Echo Kelly, Cambridge, MD, Arielle (Birdie) Todd, Easton, MD; and nephews, Ace Teagle, Cambridge, MD; Karsyn Stanley, Marietta, GA; and D’Mari (Turtle) Sampson, Easton, MD. She also leaves to mourn bonus children, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Norman (Chucky) Jenkins; two brothers, Walter (Christine) Dotson, and Alvin Dotson; three special nieces, Angela Dotson, Tamia Nichols, and Anylah Hynson,  six nephews, Sterling Dotson,  Dwayne Dotson, Arnold Quailes, Alvin Dotson III, Bryan Dotson, and Kayden Stanley.