Dorothy Mae Atkins was born to the late Robert and Genal Atkins in Hollandale, Mississippi on February 24, 1945.  She departed this earthly life on February 22, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas.

Dorothy was blessed with a large and loving family. She leaves to cherish her memories a son, Kenneth Atkins (Carolyn) of Greenville, Mississippi; a daughter, Yolanda Martin (Kenyette) of San Antonio, Texas; and a daughter-in-law, Christine Atkins of Forth Worth, Texas.  Six brothers:  Ervin Atkins, Southaven, Mississippi; Clarence Atkins, Fairburn, Georgia; James Atkins, Olive Branch, Mississippi; Fredrick Atkins (Easter) Greenville, Mississippi; Samuel Atkins, Greenville, Mississippi and Ronnie Atkins, Greenville, Mississippi.  Four sisters: Rose Williams (Michael), Forth Worth, Texas; Gloria Atkins, Olive Branch, Mississippi; Patricia Banks (Ronald), Los Angeles, California and Hope Atkins, Greenville, Mississippi.  Eight grandchildren:  Bernard Kentrel Atkins, Cassandra McReynolds, Tauhje Atkins, Cedric Atkins, Jr, Cristiyio Atkins, Chae Atkins, Brianna Martin, and Kendarius Martin.  Five great grandchildren:  Kentrel Bernard Atkins, Scarlett, Evelyn, and Freya McReynolds, and Saint Kaiden Atkins.  Also cherishing her memories are a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and special acquaintances.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Genal Atkins; brother, Robert Atkins, Jr. and son, Cedric Atkins, Sr.

Dorothy received Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist in Hollandale, Mississippi.  She served in the Gospel Choir at Mt. Horeb until she relocated to Greenville in 1966.  After relocating to Greenville, she continued her Christian journey as a faithful and frequent visitor at Pilgrim Home Missionary Baptist Church and later became a member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board.

Dorothy received her elementary and secondary education from Simmons Elementary/High School in Hollandale, Mississippi graduatiing in 1964.  Upon graduation from high school, she attended Mississippi Valley State College.  After college, she began her professional career with the Mississippi Head Start Association in Marks, Mississippi.  She was also an educator in the Western Line School District at O'Bannon High School from 1970-1982.

Always having excellent culinary skills and an entrepreneurial spirit, after a brief period as manager at McDonald's, Dorothy opened her first restaurant in the 1980's.  Starting it as a small confectionary shop and growing it into a booming cafe, she was inspired to extend her knowledge, skills, and passion for cooking.  She would open a much larger restaurant and nightclub on Old Leland Road, where she was owner/operator and mail chef for many years until her health began to fail.  She became known for her famous dish of "Hog Maws and Rice".  Dorothy resided in Forth Worth and San Antonio, Texas during her final years of life.