Genevieve F. Dinkins, lovingly known as Jenny, joined the Lord in Heaven Thursday, March 18, 2021, at the age of 100.
Born January 30, 1921, and raised in Marlinton, she was one of 12 children born to Willie and Stella Gibson. Her siblings were Dottie Gay, Gertrude LaBoe, Steryl Gibson, Louise VanReenan, Carolyn Shafer, Penny Drewery, Goldie Sampson, Mamie Napier, Bob Gibson, Kemp Gibson, Kenneth Gibson and Crawford Gibson.
Jenny married Edwin L. Dinkins March 25, 1951 in Dearborn, Michigan, and became step-mother to Ruth and Dwight Dinkins and later grandmother to Judy Ann Dinkins.
Ed and Jenny lived in Michigan until Ed’s passing, at which time Jenny moved to South Carolina to be close to family.
Jenny was the epitome of light and love, showing this love by adopting her granddaughter Judy Ann Dinkins on August 4, 1958.
Upon Judy’s untimely passing in 1983, Jenny made incredible sacrifices and adopted Judy’s child, Christopher Schultz, and raised him with immense love. While she was not a mother by birth, Jenny was a kind, loving and nurturing mother to Judy and Chris.
She did her best to ensure Chris had the best childhood possible. They enjoyed traveling to the beaches in Florida and South Carolina to visit family.
Jenny lived a life of sacrifice and service to others, exemplified through the love she showed for Chris.
Jenny dearly loved her family; and spending time with her sisters at their property in Marlinton was a great joy in her later years. Guests in her home never left with an empty belly, as they were treated to her delicious home-cooking. She loved a good game of cards, the National Enquirer, and watching the news.
On her 100th birthday, the lovely nurses and staff at Pocahontas Center threw a birthday party for her, and Jenny still didn’t believe she had reached 100.
Her sister, Carolyn Shafer, and son, Christopher Schultz, were at her side during her passing.
In his letter to the people of Corinth, Apostle Paul wrote “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all those who have loved his appearing”. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV.
While Jenny will be missed by those who knew her, her life was truly an example of 1 Corinthians, a “race well run,”as she lived out the commandment to love others.
Jenny wished to be laid to rest in the Gibson Cemetery near her parents.
A graveside service will be held at noon on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Gibson Family Cemetery. Jenny will be laid to rest next to her sister, Dottie Gay.
All are welcome to attend the service.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
