Doris Hendricks was born October 17, 1908, the daughter of Zelia
Taylor and John R. Hendricks in Little Rock, Arkansas. At age
two, her father died. She moved to Helena, Arkansas, and while
there, her mother met and married Jerry Dowling. To this union
was born two daughters, Audrey and Colleen, and two sons, Jerry
and Charles. Doris started elementary school in Helena, Arkansas.
Her family moved to Champaign, Illinois where she was enrolled
in the 5th grade at the Marquette Grade School, attended Junior
High, and returned to Helena, Arkansas to complete her high school
education in 1935. She returned to Champaign in 1937, met and
married Frank Hendricks, the Owner and Operator of the first African-American-Owned
Body Shop in Champaign. When her mother passed away, it became
her responsibility to take care of her two sisters and two brothers,
and her stepfather.
Doris worked as a Cook at the Sigma Chi Fraternity for 10 years.
She applied to and was employed by the University of Illinois
Housing Division - Food Service and retired from there as a Food
Service Supervisor after 20 years of service. After retirement,
she was called back to work in Customer Relations in the Residence
Halls and stayed for 3 years. Then she COMPLETELY retired.
Through these efforts and dedication, she was able to support
her two sisters and two brothers and assist them in completing
high school. Audrey and Colleen completed high school and college
degrees - Colleen from Milliken University and Audrey from the
University of Illinois. Both followed working in their chosen
fields, Audrey as a Professor at the University of Chicago and
New York University at Albany, New York and Colleen for the City
of Chicago, until retirement. Audrey is deceased.
Colleen married Bruce Hayden from Tuscola, Illinois. To this union
was born one daughter, Carla - who attended school in Chicago,
finished college and worked in the Libraries in Chicago. She is
presently the Director of the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore,
Maryland.
Doris was a long-time member of the Salem Baptist Church, serving
in many capacities; a member of the Deborah Chapter #27, Order
of Eastern Star; the Daughter of Isis and a Charter member of
the Champaign County Section of the National Council of Negro
Women.
Doris
Ruth Hendricks