Mrs. Lessie Miller Dinkins

 Lessie Miller Dinkins; 106, was born on January 22, 1913, in Lugoff, South Carolina. She was the youngest daughter of eight children born to the late Rev. Robert Miller, Sr. and Adeline Jackson Miller. She transitioned from this earth into eternal life on October 11, 2019. The Miller family resided near Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Lugoff, where Mrs. Dinkins was baptized and her father and later, her maternal uncle, the late Rev. Solomon Jackson, served as ministers. The Miller family worshipped in strong faith, which had a profound influence on Mrs. Dinkins’ spirituality.

She was educated in the Richland County public school system. Multi-talented, Mrs. Dinkins worked as a cook for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health and as a laundress at Fort Jackson. She baked and sold cakes and other desserts while at Fort Jackson, also. After her official retirement, Mrs. Dinkins was an Avon sales representative and served as bookkeeper for her husband’s cement finishing business. She had a passion for cultivating plants and during her earlier years, was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed quilting. She loved to cook, especially her traditional New Year’s Eve dinner, which she continued through her final years.

Mrs. Dinkins joined Gill Creek Baptist Church in Columbia during the early 1960s and was a member of the Gospel Choir, Pulpit Aid and Missionary Ministry. She and her late husband Melvin were founding members of Gunter’s Chapel Baptist Church in Columbia and served as a deacon and deaconess, respectively. Mrs. Dinkins was a very faithful member and influential role model and served a number of years on Gunter’s Chapel’s Gospel Choir, the Missionary Society Ministry, the Pulpit Aid Ministry and most recently as Mother of the Church.

Mrs. Dinkins was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Melvin Joseph Dinkins, Sr.;  three sons: Willie Edmond Spigner; Sgt. James Adam Spigner, Sr.; Melvin Joseph Dinkins, Jr.; three grandsons: Larry Mitchell, Zenor Spigner, and Kerr-Darryl Jackson Dinkins; two sisters: Mrs. Floria Miller Highsmith, Mrs. Annie Mae Miller Garrett; five brothers: Deacon Clayton Miller, Sr.; Mr. Samuel Miller; Mr. Roddy Miller, Sr.; Rev. Robert Miller, Jr.; and Elder Joseph Miller; and a  son-in-law, Linwood Rogers, Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her children, Florie Spigner Cooke; Robert Spigner (Francis); Wilbert Dinkins (Cody); Deloris Dinkins Rogers; daughters-in–law, Gloria Spigner and Joyce Dinkins, all of Columbia. Mrs. Dinkins also leaves 21 grandchildren, which includes her primary caregiver, Jennifer Cooke Jeffcoat (Billy); 38 great grandchildren, and 13 great, great, grandchildren. She has two special nieces, Evangelist Julia Highsmith Scott and Alice Miller McDuffie; a special nephew, Rev. Willie Jacobs; a godson, Willie Broadwater; and a host of other loving family and friends.

Viewing is at 10 a.m. and funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, October 17, at Gunter's Chapel Baptist Church, 1631 Windover St., Columbia.

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