Mr. James Norman Robinson, Sr.

James Norman Robinson Sr., 72, Middletown, transitioned to his heavenly home on Sunday, April 10, 2016. He was born June 1, 1943, in Philadelphia PA, the second child of the late Juanita Robinson Veney and Rev. Roscoe E. Robinson Sr. Jimmy was educated in the public schools of Staunton, VA, and excelled in sports. Jimmy led the basketball team to 2 consecutive State Championship titles (1961-1962) and in 2005 was inducted into Robert E. Lee High School’s Hall of Fame. Jimmy entered the U. S. Navy and served 4 ½ years on the USS Independence (which picked up the astronauts in 1962). Upon completion of his Navy tour of duty, he returned home to work at local businesses and later became a proud member of the Teamsters where he eventually served as a Union Representative. After his retirement, Jimmy drove a van for special needs students for Boyo Transportation and had more fun than the children did! Two years ago, illness “benched” Mr. Jimmy from his beloved children. Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Patsye Brent, and their 53-year union was blessed with 4 children, James Robinson Jr. (Jay) and Towanda Stallings of Middletown, Jaconda Lightburn of Charleston, SC, and Alice Robinson Penn of Harrisburg; 1 God-child, Darrell Robinson (Tina) of Atlanta, GA; 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Jimmy’s memory will also be cherished by 3 sisters, Bernice Stuart (Joseph), and Austin Gray of Staunton, VA, and Sarah Frances Robinson of Washington, DC; his Uncle Warren Robinson (Eleanor) and Aunt Alberta Robinson, all of Philadelphia, PA, and Uncle Milton Rowe of Washington, DC; his brother and sisters-in-law, Wayman and Betty Brent, Betty and Claude Jones, Daisy Brent Manning, Susie Brent King and Corrine Brent Spencer. Jimmy also leaves a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including Mr. Alphonso Hamilton (his basketball coach) and his wife of Staunton, VA, who helped raise him. Jimmy was a devoted member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Steelton, where he served as a driver for the Van Ministry, member of the Drama Ministry and sang in the choir. Jimmy’s favorite pastimes were gardening on his corner property which was the “jewel of the neighborhood” and preparing his “Virginia Shrimp,” a crowd favorite at the annual “Kings Who Cook” fundraiser. His life will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 20 Locust Street, Steelton, with viewing/visitation 10-11 a.m. Flowers may be delivered to the church, 4/23/2016, 9-9:30 a.m.

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Mr. James Norman Robinson, Sr.

June 1, 1943 - April 10, 2016