Ruth Robinson

                                  OBITUARY OF RITH ROBINSON

On November 12th , 2022,2022 God called to rest our beloved Ruth Mae Robinson after 94 years.

Ruth Mae Gillespie was born in Harnett County (Fayetteville), North Carolina on September 6, 11928,928 to Willie and Mamie Gillespie.  She was the youngest of two children her older brother was Thurman Gillespie.

Ruth was raised and educated in North Carolina. She attended Bladen County Training High School which was the first high school for African Americans in the county. There she received her high school diploma in May of 1949.

Ruth married Boyd Robinson on December 18, 1950, in Dillon County, South Carolina. They relocated to New Jersey to start a new life and raise a family.   They had eight children: Brenda; George; Boyd Jr; Rasheedah (Betty); Alfonso; Bernice; Bradley and Reginald. Ruth and Boyd remained together for 42 years until his passing. From their children, Ruth became a grandmother, great grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Ruth was not only a mother to her children but like a second mother to her brother Thurman’s fifteen children. 

Ruth worked as a school bus driver, in North Carolina until she moved to New Jersey 1950. While in New Jersey Ruth worked in the Pyro Plastic Factory and the Newark Airport. She spent her later years working with her daughter Rasheedah at Your Youngest Little Ones daycare from 1983-2012 as a child childcare provider. Here she became affectionately known as Grandma to all that attended.

Ruth also advocated for community development and performed community service with her daughter Bernice. She often encouraged the youth to practice their civil liberties. Ruth could be seen in the community as a volunteer during elections and other community events here she known as “grandma” or “Ms. Robinson”.

Ruth was known for her quick wit, sense of humor, beautiful smile and kind heart.

Ruth truly loved her sons as she would often encourage them to become a better version of themselves. She lived with her sons who cared for her until 2020. During the latter years of Ruth’s life, she lived with her daughter Bernice and granddaughter Tauheedah. She was also cared for by her Granddaughters Kieawanda Shabazz Henry and Baheejah Furman during this time. During this time, she enjoyed spending time at the park, shopping, eating vanilla ice cream from Cold Stone, making sweet bread with Asia Alexander, watching Friday night movies with Denise (the Color Purple and Madea was her favorite), telling stories from her past to Tyree, and attending virtual church with Bernice.

At a young age Ruth accepted Jesus as her Savior however Ruth was accepting of all religions.  She attended Good Shepherd Church of Christ for over 40 years. Her time spent there did not go unnoted as she became “the mother” of the church. Her family would also accompany her on Sundays.

Ruth was preceded in death by her Father Willie Gillespie, Mother Mamie Gillespie, Brother Thurman Gillespie, Husband Boyd Robinson Sr., Son George Robinson, Son Alfonso Robinson and Daughter Brenda Harvey. She is survived by her children Boyd Robinson Jr. and his 2 children, Rasheedah & Sabir Salaam and their 6 children, Bradley Robinson and his 7 children, Bernice Robinson and her 5 children, Reginald Robinson and his 5 children, 2 children from the late Brenda Harvey and 1 child from the late George Robinson. In addition, she is survived by host of great-grandchildren, great- great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.