He earned his funeral director license in 1948. In 1953, he entered the Atlanta College of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1954. In 1955, his funeral home was incorporated as Robinson Mortuary located in Bristol, Va. In 1982, he became co-owner of Robinson Funeral Services, Inc., in Kingsport.
His personal and professional motto was: In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6. He grew up in the Lee Street Baptist Church and was a faithful member of the church for 86 years. He trustingly served the church as a deacon and usher, superintendent of the Sunday School, chairman of the Trustee Board and vice-president of the Lee Street Community Child Care Center. Other affiliations included: Member of the Jannie Hammitt Home, Organizer and Founder of the Orion Club (President for five years), member of the Macedonia Lodge #85 F&M Masons. Some of his community service included: member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA, member of the Kiwanis Club (including vice-president), chaplain and life-member the Bristol Boys and Girls Club and founding member of its Honors Board. Over the years he has received many awards for his service including: Man of the Year and Volunteer of the Year from the Bristol Boys and Girls Club, the Zella Moore Honor Award, the George Hixson Fellowship Honor and 41 years of perfect attendance award from the Kiwanis Club. In 2003, he was presented the Recognition Award for Long and Dedicated service to the community by the Bristol Virginia City Council.
Throughout his long life, he was a role model, and a beacon of light to all whom he encountered.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick Henry and Ida White Robinson; loving wife, Bettie Lacy Robinson of 58 years; brother, Charles Frank Robinson; and sister, Rosa Etta Hathaway.
Survivors include a son, Dr. Frank Robinson, Sr.; three daughters, Dr. Maisah (Patricia) Robinson-Smith, Atlanta, Ga., Dr. Ida Robinson-Backmon, Peoria, Ariz. and Ms. Bettina A. Robinson, Douglasville, Ga.; two sons-in law, Mr. Eugene Backmon and Dr. Antar Smith; sister-in-law, Mrs. Eva Harvey, New York City; devoted friend, Mrs. Jewel Bell; six grandchildren, including Eric Robinson of Bristol, Tenn., who was close to his heart; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives.
A celebration of life for Patrick Henry Robinson Jr. will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lee Street Baptist Church, Bristol, Va., with Dr. W.A. Johnson officiating. The body will lay in repose, beginning at 10 a.m. at the church.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Bristol, Va.
Pallbearers will be deacons of Lee Street Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be the Kiwanis Club of Bristol, funeral directors of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, the Orion Club and Dr. Grat Correll.
Flower bearers will be deaconesses of Lee Street Baptist Church and the Paramount Club.
E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.raclarkfuneralservice.com.
Patrick Henry Robinson Jr., and family are in the care of R.A. Clark Funeral Service, Inc. 423-764-8584.
