*Doris Ruth Hendricks

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Doris Hendricks was born October 17, 1908 to 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. Together, they had 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. IN 1937, she returned to Champaign, where she met and married Frank Hendricks, Owner and Operator of the first African-American-Owned Body Shop in Champaign. When her mother passed away, she took care of her two sisters, two brothers, and 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 as a Food Service Supervisor after 20 years of service there. After retirement, she was called back to work in Customer Relations in the Residence Halls and stayed for three years before completely retiring. 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 received 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. Together, they raised 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. She was also 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 passed away on December 1, 2003 at age 95.

An * next to the name within bio denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section of the National Council of Negro Women.