Ray Robinson

Obituary - Ray Robinson
On August 23, 1928, Ray was born in Boston, Georgia, the 2nd of Mal and Mamie Robinson’s eleven children. Soon after Ray’s birth, the family moved to Cairo, Georgia. As a young man, Ray accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Cairo.
From an early age, Ray’s parents, grandparents and aunts instilled in him strong Christian standards, sense of family commitment, responsibility, and strong work ethic. These qualities helped the close-knit family survive the great depression and remained present in him throughout Ray’s life.
After his father’s death when Ray was a young teen, Ray spent his early years sharecropping and taking other odd jobs to help his mother support his younger siblings. He also, along with two of his brothers, dug a deep well to supply the family water. As he got older, Ray longed for a better life away from the Jim Crow south, so he headed north to Detroit, Michigan.
Shortly after arriving, he took a job at Chrysler Motor Company working on the loading docks. And later Hydraulic Concrete Breaking Company. Also soon after arriving in Detroit, Ray met and married the love of his life, Pearlena Smith, who was also from Georgia. To their union were born four children, Wayne, Cynthia, Kenneth, and Christopher.
Soon after marrying, Ray and Pearlena joined the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. In 1970, they united with Detroit’s Messiah Baptist Church where Ray served on the adult choir for many years. He remained a faithful member for over 50 years.
Ray was also a member of Laborers’ Local 1191 for over 60 years. After working at Hydraulic Concrete Breaking Company for 35 years, Ray retired. But not one to remain idle, after retiring Ray bought a dump truck and began work as an independent contractor. He also enjoyed fishing and growing a variety of vegetables.
Throughout his lifetime, Ray had a genuine love for people. Even when his health later failed him, Ray maintained a giving spirit. He was always willing to help others and share whatever resources he had. After a period of declining health, Ray united with Christ in eternity on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the age of 93.
Ray was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Pearlena, his son Kenneth, his parents, his brothers James, Oscar, Walter “Lee,” Eddie, Willie B. “Scoosie,” and sisters Annie Mae Corker and Annette Robinson. He leaves to cherish his memory children Wayne Robinson (Selenia), Cynthia Henry (Freddie), and Christopher Robinson; a brother Houston Robinson “Tike,” and sisters Rosetta Richardson and Ernestine Robinson; grandchildren, Michelle Baker (Darrell), Terri Goodwin, and Melanie Williams (Gerald). Ray also leaves eight beloved great-grandchildren to carry on his legacy and a host of Church family, multi-generational nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.