Martha Jane Dobbins

Martha Jane Dobbins passed away at Independence Regional Health Center the evening of Wednesday, March 15, 2007 from a series of diabetic complications resulting in kidney failure. Jane was born on March 12, 1927 in Independence, Missouri and was one of nine children born to Henry and Olive McKinney. She married Ernest Thayer Dobbins on October 10, 1958, and they opened their hearts and home to raise two nieces and a nephew who were in need of their love: Janiece Hotson (Meek), daughter of her sister Anne, and Sharon McKinney (Linnartz) and Jim McKinney, children of her brother James. A Certified Public Secretary, Jane worked at Amoco Oil Company (Standard Oil) in Sugar Creek, Missouri from 1956 until retirement in March 1980, beginning as an assistant to the operating oil processing units, and ending her refinery career as secretary to the manager of labor and employee relations. Her husband, Ernie, sisters Katherine and Cora Beth, and brothers Phillip, James, Tom and Carl precede her in death. Younger sisters Edith and Anne, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews all survive her. Jane will be remembered as a strong, feisty woman with a compassionate soul. Her family and friends will miss her profoundly, but the seeds of love that she planted deep within our hearts throughout her lifetime have become robust blades of grass that will ripple softly across the meadows of eternity. Her funeral will be officiated by her nephew, Jim McKinney at Speaks Funeral Home, 39th Street at 291 Highway in Independence on Monday, March 19, 2007. Family visitation will precede the 1:30 service, and graveside services at Mound Grove will follow her funeral. For those wishing to honor her life, the family suggests donations be made to either Special Neighbors or the American Diabetes Association.