James Robinson

Obituary For James Robinson

In the 14th Chapter of John verse 6, Jesus tells us that “In His Father’s House are many mansions and that if it was not so He would have told us and that He was going there to prepare a place for us that where He is we could be there also. We know that Reverend Dr. James Conrad Robinson is there in that mansion that Jesus spoke of in the 6th verse.

Reverend. Dr. James Conrad Robinson was born January 8, 1938 in Kansas City, MO to the late James Maceo and Edythe Perkins Robinson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Griggs Robinson, son, Craig Conrad Robinson and brother, Ernest Angelo. Robinson.

He is a 1956 graduate of Lincoln High School, Kansas City, MO, where he ran track and was in the News Writing Class. He also attended Kansas City Junior College for three years where he studied engineering.

He served in the United States Marine Corp Reserves while in High School in 1955. He continued his military service at Long Beach Naval Shipyard in Long Beach, California where he was a draftsman with the Army Map Service with The Department of Defense.

After moving to California, Rev. Robinson met Carolyn Griggs Robinson. They were married September 19, 1967. Together they owned and operated a sweeping service, Sweep It Rite, cleaning major department store chains for many years.

Rev. Robinson accepted his call into the Gospel Ministry and was ordained in 1968 by Rev. Wylie J. Inglish at Holy Mt. Zion in Los Angeles, California. He was called to pastor Wilmington Avenue Christian Church in Compton, California, about a year later.

The Lord spoke to Rev. Robinson and told him to move to North Carolina. After selling their sweeping service and home, The Robinsons relocated from Carson, California to Kings Mountain, North Carolina in December 1977 and lived with their aunt, Ms. Jeanette Surratte until their home was built. Reverend Robinson and his family became members of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was an associate minister alongside Rev. D.C. Wilson and Sunday School teacher. He was a local member of the NAACP. Seeing a need for equality in Cleveland County for better jobs and pay, he organized a march in downtime Shelby, alongside Reverend R.E. Devoe demanding better opportunities for all people. He also ran a successful campaign for a seat on the Cleveland County School Board in the early eighties.

He was also an avid photographer, a trade he learned from his father. He photographed many weddings and other venues throughout the surrounding area.

Rev. Robinson was called to pastor Eskridge Grove Baptist Church in 1979, where many souls were saved under his leadership. After leaving Eskridge Grove, Reverend Robinson organized Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on October 17, 1981, where seventeen true born-again Christians, who were concerned that the community provide its people a place of worship “Where Everybody is Somebody and Jesus Christ is All”, met at the home of Ms. Estine Pettis, for the purpose of organizing a Church.

In 1980, Rev. and Mrs. Robinson opened an antique and toy shop in the Marion Mall in Shelby, NC.

In 1982, Rev. and Mrs. Robinson opened a retail hobby shop – Chuga-Chuga Choo-Choo in the Cleveland Mall, where he designed and contracted their store front. He always had a passion for trains, planes, R/C cars and model kits. He owned and operated the store for many years.

In 1984, Rev. Robinson, along with the congregation agreed to purchase a church and acreage located at 1612 Kings Road.

In 1988, after their son’s death in 1987, Rev. and Mrs. Robinson agreed to work with his brother and wife, Norman and Carolyn Robinson, working with top secret government contracts at R/P International Technologies, located in Lincoln Heights, OH. They would drive each week to Cincinnati, OH and return to North Carolina on the weekends to continue their pastoral duties.

In 1994, with a vision from the Lord, he saw a need for the youth – a multi-purpose building. Through this same vision, Rev. Robinson along with the congregation agreed to step out on faith and build a Life Enrichment Center. It took approximately two years for a vision to become a reality.

Rev. Robinson was very passionate about soul salvation, Kingdom building and helping others reach their God-given talent and ability to serve the Lord. He always encouraged others to be their very best and soar to levels of greatness in all aspects of their lives. He was always willing to advocate for others in any capacity given. His unselfish and humble spirit will always hold a special place in all our hearts for a lifetime.

Reverend Robinson leaves behind to cherish fond memories one son, James Michael Robinson (Rosalind), Kansas City, MO; four daughters, Jacqueline Buycks (Garry), Joyce Watts (Richard), Jill Arnold (Tim), all of Kansas City, MO; Shana Adams (Samuel), Kings Mountain, NC and Sciandra Hush (Rodney), Clover, SC; 26 grandchildren – Deanna Gates (Charles), Denton, TX, Garry Buycks (Chavos), Kansas City, MO, Dianah Shields (Reggie), Blue Springs, MO, Steffone Frank, Shyla Jones (Torrance), Natazia Garcia, Victoria Robinson, Joshua Robinson (Stayci) Akilah Robinson, Joy Leon (Michael), Fabian Brown, Tanya Handy (Royce), Ronald Boyd, Ramon Boyd, Ashya Boyd all of Kansas City, MO; James DuJuan Robinson, Mikalia Butler, Matthias Adams, all of Kings Mountain, NC, Donald Butler II (Sabrina), Lincolnton, NC, Sydney Hush, Clover, SC, Jaydan Hush, Lenoir, NC, Martisha Brice, Tyrin Adams (Jessica), Marquis Barnett (Brianna), Akela Coleman (Quintin) all of Gastonia, NC and Tyler Barnett, Charlotte, NC; 51 Great Grandchildren, one brother, Norman Robinson (Carolyn), Cincinnati, OH, sister-in-law, Mary Robinson, Shelby, NC and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 4, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Release Church( formerly Antioch Missionary Baptist Church). The family will receive friends from 2:30 PM until 3:00 PM. Livestreaming of the service will begin at 2:45 from the Enloe Mortuary Facebook page. Burial will take place at the Robinson Estate.