Maye Dinks

Maye Louise Dinkins, longtime resident of Battle Creek, went to be with the Lord on February 1, 2012 at the age of 85. Ms. Dinkins was the first Black, female Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in Battle Creek. She retired from Community Hospital after 26 years of service. Maye was the youngest of 8 children born to James and Victoria Bryant in Orange Mills, FL. She graduated from Brewster Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida where she obtained her degree to become a registered nurse (RN). Maye completed a 2-year program at Florida A&M where she obtained her a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing. During the tumultuous times of segregation, there were only a few schools in the country that trained black people to obtain their nurse anesthetist degrees, and St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL was one of them. After graduation, Maye landed her first job at Tuskegee Institute as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Maye eventually ended up in Battle Creek where she got a job as a CRNA. Ms. Dinkins got married to the late Julius Dinkins and had 2 children. She was a member of The Coterian Social Club for 20 years. Ms. Dinkins was also instrumental in helping bring a Delta Sigma Theta chapter to Battle Creek. Ms. Dinkins was also a community activist that worked hard to beautify the neighborhood. Ms. Dinkins was a Master Gardner and did landscaping for Mt. Zion AME Church where she's been a long-standing member. Ms. Dinkins is survived by her children, Karen and Kevin Dinkins; her sister, Rachel Jones; and grandchildren Jasmine Watson, Cheoma Slater, Karin and Kason. The family will receive friends from 2-5 PM Sunday at the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, 223 N. Bedford Rd. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday at the funeral home.