Dorothy C. Jennings

Dorothy Clarice Watkins was born on March 3, 1942 to Thomas Delmos Watkins and Elva Warren Watkins in Washington DC.   She attended the Kendall School for the deaf in Washington DC which made her part of education history. In 1952, at the age of 10 years old Dorothy along with a group of 16 deaf black students entered The Kendall School For The Deaf in the District of Columbia. In the first school year, 16 black children and four black teachers became part of The Kendall School For The Deaf. Initially housed in the old gymnasium, they had a new building put up within a year. She is remembered for her love of fishing and travel, especially cruises she would take with her friends in the deaf community.   Dorothy married Gilbert Corman on December 7, 1968   She worked for the Sears and Roebuck company as well as the National Institute of Health.   Dorothy married Norman Jennings, Sr on September 15, 1992   She was mother of Edward Carl Watkins, Sr and mother in law to Sandra Henson Watkins of Bowie, Maryland, Grandchildren Justin Wyngate Wanza of Albuquerque, New Mexico (deceased), Edward Carl Watkins, Jr, Christina Rachel Watkins and Dorothy Camille Watkins all who live in Bowie, Maryland.     Affectionately called Dot Dot by many in her family, Dorothy grew up in a family of five brothers Emanuelle Watkins, Melvin Watkins, Daniel Watkins, Thomas Watkins (deceased) and Preston Watkins (deceased), and four sisters Alice Adams, Reta Lee, Delores Watkins, and Ethel Bowser (deceased). She leaves nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great –nephews, cousins as well as friends. Special thanks to Mrs. Blinda Shako and Mrs. Sandra Parks who was not only a niece but a friend to Dorothy.