FAMILY NEWS BULLETIN

3/11/2010

The Staunton Committee is proud to announce that the family reunion this year will be held at

The Holiday Inn East in Harrisburg

4751 Lindle Road 17111

By now you should have received your copy of the reunion news letter

but if you have not seen it please click here

Updated 6/22/2009 

With great regret we inform you that  Helen "Bernice" Robinson Melton passed on Saturday June 20th 2009.

Please find her obituary below:

The Homegoing Service  will be held:

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

12:00 Noon 

@ EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH

Staunton, Virginia

HELEN BERNICE ROBINSON MELTON

A Time to be Born:

Bernice was born on October 1, 1915, in Staunton, Virginia, to the late James W. and Mary Kerr Robinson. She was one of four daughters and seven sons, and the 5^th child of eleven. Bernice was raised in Staunton and attended Booker T. Washington High School.  

She loved to play games and was competitive and a winner in whatever she set out to do.  She played the piano “by ear, a natural gift from God,” she said, and played the ukulele as well. Bernice attended Salem Baptist Church Sunday School until old enough and allowed to go across town to Ebenezer where she was baptized at the age of 12.  There, she and her sister, Cassie, often sang duets: “Whispering Hope” and “I Do, Don’t You.”

A Time to Live:

At the age of 18, Helen moved to Bethesda, Md., to work and later moved to Philadelphia. In the early 1940s, while visiting her sister, Amelia, in D.C., she met the late George C. Melton.  They married in 1945, made their home at 60 Channing Streetin Washington, D.C., and were members of Walker Memorial Baptist Church.  Bernice and George enjoyed deep sea fishing trips and traveled often across the U.S., and Canada.   

Her motherly instincts led her to obtain a child care license. From about 1949 until early 1960s, she loved, trained, fed and scolded about 10 children in her home in D.C.  Some of them were her sister’s, Amelia, grandsons and some were her husband’s nephews.  In 1972, after 12 years, she resigned from the Burlington Hotel in Washington, D.C., where she had advanced to Catering Supervisor, to care for her father until he died.  When she returned to Washington, she worked at Woodward & Lothrop, as Telephone Orders Operator and Personal Shopper.  She and George would later retire to Staunton where again she lovingly cared for many children, some from infancy.   

A Time to Plant:

Upon retiring to Staunton, she joined Ebenezer and was active until her illness in 1993.  She was a Deaconess; member of Ladies Auxiliary and Choir; chaired Church Homecoming three times; chaired the Funeral Committee; and participated in other committees.  She was well known at Ebenezer for her excellent cooking.  Bernice received a Certificate of Recognition in October, 1995. 

Bernice learned to cook at an early age and was an excellent cook: canning, baking, preserving and jelly making. Mouths would water at her large cheese biscuits and coconut cake. Also, she loved gardening.  Her household organizing skills were admired by her sisters and nieces who strived to duplicate her in this area.  In addition, she will be remembered for her willingness to help her family members. 

Memories of Helen Bernice will be eternally embraced by her loving brother, Warren Robinson; sisters-in-law, Sarah, Eleanor, Alberta, Louella Robinson, and Eleanor Crockett, Mary Darden, and Helen Rogers; brothers-in-law, Milton I. Rowe, Sr.and Maceio Melton; godchildren and large host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors and church family. She was predeceased by her parents; husband; sisters, Amelia Dyer, Cassie Medley; Ruth Rowe; brothers, Carrington, Leonard, Roscoe, Norman, Russell and Thomas Robinson; brothers-in-law, Tyler and John Melton; and sister-in-law, Gracie Kermer.

Updated 4/21/2009 

Hopefully everyone by now has received the news of the 2009 Family Reunion and now the prophecy of the 2006 Reunion of "From the Farm House to the White House" has come true. So this year this year  "Yes We Did - Yes We Can, " starts us on a new beginning with a new strategy.

The Reunion this year will be held at the Tyson's Corner Marriot Hotel  located 8028 Leesburg Pike Vienna Va.

Dear Family:
We invite you to attend the 2009 Robinson, Peters, Kilbreath, and Broady Family Reunion, July 31-August 2 in Tyson's Corner (Vienna), VA, just outside of Washington, DC. 

In 2006 we celebrated with the theme: "From the Farm House to the White House".  Only God knew just how prophetic that theme would be.  Join us as we reflect upon our past theme and build upon it as we look to the future. 

"Yes We Did - Yes We Can!" 

Updated 4/6/2009 

With profound sadness I post the following information:

Rhoda Louise Broady was called to eternal rest early in the morning on Sunday April 5th 2009.  Rhoda was and is the beloved wife of Wardell Broady.  Her notice is as follows:

Rhoda Louise Broady was born July 31, 1937 and passed on April 5, 2009.  She is survived by her husband Wardell Broady, Sr; daughters Yvonne Wells-Smith and Janice Allison; one son Wardell Broady Jr; four grandchildren and four brothers.  Viewing will be held on April 11 at University United Methodist Church 3621 Campus Drive College Park, MD from 9:00 – 10:45am.  Interment will be at 12:30 at Parklawn Memorial Park 12800 Veirs Mill Raod, Rockville, MD.  Flowers should be sent to Horton’s Funeral Services 600 Kennedy St NW, Washington, DC 20011.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Updated 2/26/2009

Sorry I am a little late posting this information:

Clarence Cortez Loftin III known to us all as "Chuck" beloved husband of Yvonne Broady Loftin passed peacefully on January 24, 2009 after long illness. The Picture below show Chuck and Yvonne during happier times.

Funeral Services for Chuck are as follows:

Friday , January 30th 2009 @ 11:00AM

Riverside Church

490 Riverside Dirve New York, New York 10027

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Updated 10/28/2008

As many of you know Leonard “Sonny” Lee Robinson went to his eternal rest this past Sunday night Oct.26, 2008.

He and his twin sister Gloria Wilkins celebrated their 76^th birthday three days before on Oct. 23^rd.

Gloria has rushed to Leonard’s home in Shepherdstown,  West Virginia and has relayed the following information to Bernie Rowe regarding services  for her beloved brother.

Funeral Services: 

WHO:   Leonard (Sonny) Lee Robinson

When :  Friday 10/31/2008 11:00 AM - Services Start note: 10:30 AM - 11:00AM   meet / greet Family 

Where:  Asbury United Methodist Church, Shepherdstown, West Virginia   25443

          Route 480 South     

                                         4257 Kearneyville Pike             

                                         Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443 

The picture below was taken at the 2007 Family Reunion

My Grandmother Christian Ann Robinson Broady wrote what I consider to be a very touching  poem on the occasion of the passing of Leonard’s father, Carrington Robinson and I thought I would share it you family members at this time.

Ode to Carrington

To die in Christ is a wonderful thing ,

It leaves those behind courage to sing.

When hope is departing, the outlook is grim

To die in Christ says volume them

It whispers, “parents, be of good cheer,

Your son did his duty while he was here”.

To die in Christ means that you are all right:

You never gave up though tough was the fight.

Grandpa was used to say, “that boy has grit:

He’s in win, he never will quit”.

“You’ll hear it, you’ll hear it, and you’ll actually hear it,

Don’t give up son, fight!  And don’t fear it.”

To die in Christ you must live the life;

This Carrington did; I know for myself.

Early in life he picked his life’s friend.

The same good boy not easy to bend-

Although young he acted a man

I almost heard him saying, “ I can!”

Get the Lord on your side, in your early days.

Religion you get then invariably stays.

You are a flower…. There is something to heed

Although we loved you in body and deed.

With your colors still flying death is no ban-

I’m so glad you kept saying “I can”

By Carrington’s Aunt

Christian Ann Robinson Broady

This poem was written on or about Jan 15^th 1934 and although it is nearly 75 years old it still has meaning to us as a family.

For Leonard’s immediate family members know that all the Robinson Family’s prayers are with you.

Updated 1/28/2008

The 2008 Family Reunion will Be held July 4th, 5th and 6th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Valley Forge Pa

Please Read the 2008 Family Reunion NewsLetter click here

Updated 5/20/2007

The 2007 Family Reunion will be held July 26th - July 29 at the Holiday Inn East, in Harrisburg Pa.

Updated 5/16/2006

The 2006 Family Reunion will held July 28th, 29, 30th at the Embassy Suites - Dulles Airport located

13341 Woodland Park Road, Herndon, Virginia, United States 20171

Please Read the 20006 Reunion Letter no. 1 click here

Updated 5/15/2005

The latest Reunion Newsletter from the Philadelphia Committee Click here to read the letter

Updated 6/27/2003

Please Read the Reunion Letter(click here to go straight to it)\ReunionLetters\Letter2-2003.html

The family reunion is fast approaching and we need to hear from you. Make your reservations now.

A message from the Jones Family

"In God's Will Lies Our Peace"

~~~~~~~Dante

To the Robinson Family thank you for friendship, prayers and kindness in response to Bob's death.

We are grateful for your calls, cards, visits, and many expressions of love. Forever etched in our memories are the truly great and wonderful times we had at family reunions and gatherings. The laughter and tears, the visits to the Tannehill home place, the love and fellowship we've enjoyed thru the year.

What a blessing you have been. We thank God for Bob's Life and all we shared together. God Bless you for beings there for us. We thank you and we love you.

Wilma, Bobby Jr,

And Michael Jones

Updated 3/3/2003

The 2003 Family Reunion will be held July 26th, 27th and 28th at the Greenbel Marriot 6400 Ivy Lane Greenbelt, MD 20770 Phone: 1 301-441-3700 Fax: 1 301-441-3995

To make reservations by phone, call 1-800-228-9290

Restaurants & Lounges

Pitchers Pub open for breakfast, lunch, dinner

Silver Moon Cafe (American) open for breakfast, lunch, dinner

Starbuck's Kiosk

TGI FRIDAYS (American, nearby) open for lunch, dinner

Updated 12/24/2002

Dear Family, We regret to inform you of the passing of Robert L. Jones,Wilma Jones husband and Meri Jones Brother-in-law ,which is Wali's Brother and Frenchie's rode buddy.He passed this life on December 20,2002.Tenative arrangements;Friday, December 27,2002.Viewing 9:00-11:00.Services 11:00 at the 90th Street Mount Hermon Baptist Church.Pastor Warren Robinson will be in charge.Please show God's Love to Wilma and Family.Cards can be sent to -5937 Latona Street-19143.Continue to pray for Wilma,Michael,Bob Jr.and the entire Jones Family.GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!!!!!

Upated 10/17/2002  

Cousin Diane, daughter of Uncle Norman, passed on Sunday Oct. 13, 2002, John X. Robinson will be conducting the service.

This is how the card read:

We regret to inform you of the death of

Jacqueline D. Lindsey which occurred on Sun. Oct.. 13, 2002

Viewing Mon. Oct. 21, 2002 from 10-11A.M.

at Baker Funeral Home LTD

Funeral Service will be held Monday Oct. 21, 2002

at Baker Funeral Home LTD. at 11:00 A.M.

Interment Rolling Green Cemetery

Baker Funeral Home, LTD.

2008 North Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19132

215-763-5590

Upated 9/23/2002

OUR BELOVED SISTER DORIES WHITE WILL BE LAID TO REST ON MONDAY 23, 2002 AT THE 90TH STREET MOUNT HERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH -VIEWING 9:00 AM TO 11:00AM- SERVICES AT 11:00. 6232-34 JEFFERSON STREET 19151 PHILADELPHIA ,PA

PRAY FOR THE FAMILY!!!!!

Updated 9/23/2002

The newest Robinson

Ahjae Nichola Batts  September 21,  2002 - 6 lbs. 14 oz.

Mother  - Tene Batts daughter of Saundra Broady Rutledge

Father -  John Batts

Updated 8/6/2002

Cousin Matt (Buzzy) Robinson passed away Monday morning, August 5th 2002.

Buzzy, as he was affectionately known was born in Philadelphia on January 1, 1937. His father Uncle Matt Sr. was a columnist for the old Philadelphia Independent and one of the first black columnists for the Philadelphia Inquirer. His mother, Aunt Marie was an elementary school teacher.

Matt Jr. (Buzzy) was one of the originators of the PBS program "Sesame Street" and starred as the original character "GORDON". He went on to produce and write films and plays including the movie "Amazing Grace," and the critically acclaimed off Broadway production of "The Confessions of Step-n-Fetchit." Mathew Buzzy Robinson was a writer, a story editor and producer of the Bill Cosby Show for seven seasons.

Matt went to his rest after a near 20 year battle with Parkinson decease. He is survived by daughter, actress Holly Robinson Peete, son Matt Robinson III, their mother Dolores Robinson and five grandchildren.

We ask for God in his unbounded mercy to bless Matt's family and friends.

A Memorial service is scheduled for Friday August 9th 2002 at 11:00AM at the Writer's Guild of America Theater in Beverly Hills, CA. the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, a donation be maid to the HollyRod Foundation in honor of Matt's life and passing. The phone number is (310)385-1590

Updated 7/15/2002

Rev. Russell Robinson was called home on Friday July 12, 2002. He will lay in state on Friday July 19th, 2002 from 12 noon to 7:00 PM.  Funeral Services will be held on Saturday Friday July 19th, 2002 at 90th Street Mount Hermon Baptist Church - 62nd Jefferson St. Philadelphia, Pa 1951

Call Frenchie for Directions and other information (215)877-8344

He will be missed

Updated 7/4/2002

On Friday June 28, 2002 in the early morning the Lord called our beloved Stephanie Sherrie Gray Broady home. Stephanie at 34 was the mother of Kayla and Isaiah Wardell and wife of Wardell Broady Jr. Services for Stephanie will held on Saturday July 6, 2002 at University United Methodist Church at 3621 Campus Drive in College Park Maryland.

Stephanie we miss you

Updated 6/19/2002

PLEASE BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOMS NOW!!!  The rate of  $79.00 will only last until June 29th after that the rate goes up to $135.00 a night

Updated 4/26/2002

The Atlanta Committee has some update information that needs to get out ASAP. We will be mailing this letter soon so keep your eyes out for it and keep planning on coming 'Together Again...Atlanta 2002' . If you have any questions please emailwww.reunion@robinsonfamily1.com or reply back to me at the above address.   Click here to view the latest Family Reunion Newsletter letter.

Updated 4/2/2002

On Wednesday March 27th shortly before  11:42pm beloved Valencia Howell, wife of Keith Howell, mother of Marcaz and Gary Keith II. departed this life.

Keith has started a fund in Valencia's memory: Marcaz V. Howell & Gary Keith II, Howell Education Fund

Bank: Wachovia Bank

Routing # 061000010

Address: 3982 Austell / Powder Springs Road

Powder Springs, GA 30127

Attn: Beverly Groover - (770- 439-4503)

Funeral Information:

Church: New Hope Missionary Baptist, Powder Springs, GA

Rev: Ralph Steed

Date: April 6, 2002

Wake Starts: 12:00 noon - 1:00 PM

Funeral will follow the wake

Dawson Mortuary (404) 691-3810

300 MLK JR Drive SW

Atlanta, GA 30311

Our deepest sympathies are extended to the Howells and close relatives and friends of Valencia, in this mournful time.

LINNIE WE LOVE YOU

Please see the Family Prayer Pages