Violet C. Robinson

Violet Christina Robinson, affectionately known as Vi, was born on May 22, 1937, in Ingram Branch, West Virginia. She was the second born of seven daughters to the late Leroy and Christina Johnson. Her parents raised her to live a life that demonstrated her love for God, others, and herself. Early Wednesday morning, June 24, 2020, after a two-year battle with cancer, God in his infinite mercy called Violet to her eternal home in Glory. At an early age, Vi gave her life to Christ and joined the Ingram Grove Baptist Church. She became a member of Wayland Baptist Church in 1960, where she taught Sunday school for several years. In 1979, she joined New Psalmist Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member for 41 years, who could be counted on to support Bishop Thomas’ vision for the church. She felt honored to speak about the history of the New Psalmist Baptist church at the first service held at the Frederick Road location. She and her husband, Raymond G. Robinson, faithfully attended the Sunday morning 7:15 am service and could be found seated in row K, seats 201 & 202. She was devoted to memorizing scripture, and reading and studying the Bible. She attended numerous Bible study classes, workshops, and conferences over the years. In 2013, she graduated from the 3-year Discipleship program. Vi graduated in 1954, at the top of her class from Simmons High School, in Montgomery, West Virginia. She performed so well in school that her father proudly predicted she would be the doctor in the family. She loved playing the trumpet in the marching band. At times she would reminisce about the day she came home from school to find that her parents had purchased her a new trumpet of her very own. The day after graduation, at the age of 17, she and her sister Clem moved to Baltimore. She acquired employment at the Baltimore Eye, Ear, and Throat hospital the next day. It was not long before she met and married her neighbor, Frissell P. Lemon Sr. They had two daughters, Maria and Vivian, and she became a loving stepmom to Frissell Jr. In 1958, Frissell Sr. succumbed to a fatal stroke. Vi, a young widow and mother of two toddlers returned to work. She made many sacrifices for her daughters to ensure that the effects of growing up without their father were minimal. She was a loving, nurturing, and doting mother, always putting her daughters first in every earthly thing. She was blessed with a loving village of support, especially from her in-laws who made summer vacations, cultural outings, and holidays extra special for her girls. Her village of support also encouraged her with prayer, phone calls and visits during her illness. In 1966, Vi began her career at the Social Security Administration (SSA) at the Civic Howard Building. She had a great work ethic, and took pride in her job performance and the importance of her work to the public. Throughout her 30 year career, she consistently received outstanding performance reviews and awards. In 1975, she was selected for the Upward Mobility Program and through it, at the age of 38, she attended Coppin State College. She worked diligently to make and stay on the Dean’s list. Vi retired from SSA in 1996. It was at SSA where she met the love of her life, Raymond G. Robinson. They were married at New Psalmist Baptist Church on May 7, 1983. Her daughters were so happy for her. They also loved this gentle man, whose companionship added so much love and happiness to their mother’s life. Vi and Ray were always on the go, traveling, cruising, attending Mason events, going to festivals and Baltimore’s harbor with the grandkids. At the time of Ray’s death, June 7, 2018, they had celebrated 35 devoted years of marriage. Vi was blessed with the gift of hospitality and she was a great cook. She loved to host family and friends in her home. Whether you were invited or dropped-in, she insisted that you sit down and have something to eat. She very much cared for her neighbors and her neighborhood of 47 years. She was active in her neighborhood association and served as secretary for several years. She had a great sense of humor, and delighted in saying the unexpected to make you laugh. Some of her hobbies included interior decorating, making flower arrangements, origami money gifts, gardening, and playing the piano. Vi was preceded in death by her parents Leroy and Christina Johnson, husband Raymond G. Robinson, sister Patricia Moss, brother-in-laws Fred Conaway and Robert Moss; stepson, Frissell P. Lemon Jr. Memories of her precious life will forever remain in the mind and heart of her daughters, Maria D. Smith and Vivian G. Forrest, daughter-in-law, Delois Lemon; grandchildren, Dionne L. Spencer (Jasper), Letta M. Simon (Michael), Lisa Lemon, Anthony Lemon (Marlo), Xavier Lemon, and Andrew M. Rheubottom, great-grandchildren, Jordyn & Noah Spencer, Lilian-Grace Christina and Michaela-Rose Violet Simon; god-daughters Pamela Bean and Alicia White; sisters, Clem Conaway, Jennifer Pankey, Dorothy Plummer (Frank), Nan Curtis (William), Darlene Johnson; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Tributes

Violet C. Robinson

May 22, 1937 - June 24, 2020