Katherine Jinks turns 100 on Monday, Feb. 1!
Born in Brooks, Ga. in 1916, Jinks and her family relocated to Greenville shortly after Jinks was born. Although she is not able to get around as much as she used to, Jinks loved to be involved outdoors and in the community, especially in her church. She was a member of St. Matthews, an African Episcopal Church and attended some services at Shiloh Missionary Baptist a few times.
Jinks attended school up until the sixth grade and pursued education later by taking night classes when her children became older, sometime in the 60s. Although she did not earn her GED, Jinks still learned enough so she could still move forward. Jinks did whatever she could to make a living. She often worked in the fields and picked peas, working as many different jobs as she could find. She also worked at Florida Plywood in Greenville at some point in her life.
Jinks married her husband, Elijah, in 1960. The two were married until Elijah passed away. Jinks had one daughter, Matilda Thomas, before marriage. Together, she and her husband had five children: Willie Jinks, Dorothy Jinks-Jones, Lavon Umstead, Herma Jinks and Gary Jinks.
“She is a very giving person and loves people,” said Jones about her mother. “I wish the best for her in the days to come.”
In celebration of her birthday, Jinks' family is coming to town and throwing a party for her.