Dora Solis Jenkins

1917 - 2023

Houston - Dora Solis Jenkins born November 8, 1917 and departed this life peacefully on January 19, 2023.

Dora was the daughter of Gumercindo Lazaro Solis (1882-1968) and Cleotilde Salas Solis (1892-1989). She was born in Mercedes, Texas and educated in the local public schools and graduated from Mercedes High School in 1934 as the Salutatorian of her class. After graduating she attended Edinburg Junior College on an Academic Scholarship for 1 year after which she moved to Galveston to be with her brother, Gumercindo Roberto Solis, who was a medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He arranged for her to become a Registered Medical Technologist under the mentorship of Meyer Bodansky B.A., M.A., Ph.D., M.D. professor of Pathological Chemistry.

In 1940 she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan to follow her future husband, Daniel E. Jenkins, Jr. M.D. and was employed as a medical technician under the mentorship of Dr. Ruben Leon Kahn, Professor of Serology at the University of Michigan. She held these 2 mentors in the highest esteem all the days of her life.

Dora and Dan married August 1st, 1943, in Ann Arbor and returned to Texas as in July 1947 when Dan accepted a teaching position with the newly formed Baylor University College of Medicine, Department of Medicine.

She became a housewife raising 3 children, Daniel III, Mark and Tessa. She was active in their school and scouting activities and was a charter member of St. Georges Episcopal Church, known today at Grace Episcopal Church, 4040 West Belfort. She was an active member of the Baylor Faculty Wives Club for more than 30 years and once served as Treasurer and President. She was an active member in the Continental Club of Spanish speakers.

She returned to The University of Houston as a part time student receiving her BBA degree in 1965 after which she engaged in a residential real estate career working with Tarry Watkins & Co., Lynn Zarr & Co. and finishing her career with Heritage & Co.

After retiring she stayed active attending church, exercising at the Weekly Family YMCA 5 days a week, attending the Baker Institute program, The Asia Society, and socializing with her many nieces and nephews.

She became interested in her Solis heritage and actively documented her genealogy with her father before his death, tracing the family directly back to Juan Jose Solis, a member of the Spanish Army under command of Jose de Escandon, the last Spanish Conquistador. Juan Jose Solis received a Royal Spanish Land Grant, Porcion 107, in 1752 from his Majesty King Carlos III, which is today in Starr County Texas.

Despite having grown up under difficult circumstances during The Great Depression she maintained a positive outlook on life and had an indomitable spirit which she shared with many. She loved her God, her family, her friends, and was a strong and resilient woman living in her home until the very end of her life. She continued to drive to church on Sundays after renewing her drivers license at age 100 and much to the chagrin of her sons!

She was preceded in death by husband, Daniel E. Jenkins, Jr. MD, and her daughter Tessa Ann Jenkins as well as her brother Gumercindo Roberto Solis, MD, of Port Arthur, Texas, and her sister Anna Solis Riddel of Houston.

She is survived by her 2 sons, Daniel E. Jenkins, III, M.D., grandson Daniel E. Jenkins, IV and his wife, HollyAnne Farris Jenkins, and great granddaughters Caroline Elizabeth Jenkins, Catherine Ann Jenkins and great grandson Collier Raimond Jenkins; grandson Richard Beauregard Jenkins, M.D. and wife Maggie Neuhaus Jenkins, son Mark Schering Jenkins, M.D., wife Susy Thompson Jenkins, and grandson Jeffrey Schering Jenkins and wife Megan, and granddaughter Jennifer Anne Jenkins Zwahr and her husband Aaron Zwahr; nieces Dora Riddel Valdez-Fauli, Sarita Riddel Tennant and husband Joseph Tennant, children Joeb, Patrick. Roy Lee Riddel III, and wife Dixie, children Christine and Rusty. Ronald Solis Riddel and wife Sylvia. Niece Susan Solis Bishop and husband Steven, nephews Robert Thomas Solis, M.D. and wife Barbara, children Christina, Jose Antonio, Olivia and Claudia, William Daniel Solis, D.V.M. and daughters Angie and Stacey and George Patrick Solis, M.D. and wife Michelle.

The Jenkins family is grateful for the care and loving attention of Mary Wren, R.N. and Maricela Sierra Gallegos provided Dora during the last 5 years of life!

Memorial service and a luncheon reception will be held Saturday, January 28th at 11am at Grace Episcopal Church, 4040 W. Belfort Avenue, Houston, Texas 77025.

Graveside services will be held at 10am Saturday, February 25 at Solis Cemetery, Solis Road west of La Feria, Texas.

Remembrances may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 4040 W. Belfort Avenue, Houston, Texas 77025 or a charity of choice.