Rev. Charles Leonard Robinson, age 81 of the Mount Gilead and Cardington area, went to be with the Lord, on Wednesday August 3, 2011. He had lived in this area for 40 years, having moved here from Norfolk, VA in 1971, to serve as pastor of Gilead Friends Church, which he did for 24 years.
He was born to Clifton Randolph and Alma Viola (Handy) Robinson, March 21, 1930 on Hollywood Avenue, Hampton, VA, who preceded him in death.
Charles was the loving husband of Edna Marie Robinson, who survives. They were marred later in life, February 14, 2002 in Venice, FL by Charles’ brother, Rev. George Robinson. Sharing their lives together in their latter years was a wonderful joy and blessing, for they found in each other someone they could love who shared the same values and dreams. They both loved and enjoyed their large combined family and felt it was a devotional time together.
Surviving are six children: Charles Leonard (Rebecca) Robinson, Jr., Knoxville, TN; Gary Allen (Patrice) Robinson, Goodlettsville, TN; Ronald Wayne (Deborah) Robinson, North Canton, OH; Charlann Kay (Donald) Murray, Corona, CA; Joanna Faye (Stephan) Curts, Mt. Gilead, OH; Pamela Joy (James) Bailey, Mt. Gilead, OH; twenty grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Also, seven step-children: Jacquelyn (Raymond) Gilbuena, Aliso Viejo, CA; C. Thomas (Nancy) Jones, Damascus, OH; Laurie (David) Hurt, Johnson City, TN; Patricia (Brian) Mosher, Cardington, OH; C. William (Nancy) Henry of Roslyn, PA; Donald (Sandra) Henry of Cardington, OH; Craig (Linda) Henry of Canton, OH; twenty-two step-grandchildren; twenty-two step-great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Edward Peck, Hampton, VA; a sister-in-law, Eileen Robinson, Mechanicsville, VA; extended family members and a host of friends.
As a lad of 10 years Charles and his family moved to Todds Lane in Hampton where he lived when he graduated from Hampton High School in 1948. It was during his 16th year that he completely opened his heart to Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Spirit and his call to ministry. Therefore, upon graduation from High School he attended and graduated from Cleveland Bible College, Cleveland, Oh, now Malone University, in Canton, OH and received his TH.B (Bachelor of Theology) Degree. Following his college education he was recorded (ordained) a Minister of the Gospel in August, 1955, by Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends in Damascus, OH (now Evangelical Friends Church, Eastern Region).
On June 16, 1951, Charles and Ann Patricia Brown were united in marriage in Portsmouth, VA. Following their marriage they returned to Cleveland where he completed his education. Then September, 1953, their ministry began in Portsmouth Friends Church at Portsmouth, RI where they served for seven years; in 1960 to Colonial Place Friends, Norfolk, VA for 11 years; and in 1971 to Gilead Friends, Mount Gilead, OH, where they served for 24 years, retiring in 1995. It was during this time that a new church building was erected and dedicated in 1975 and in 1980 Gilead Christian School was born beginning as a Pre-School in the church. In 1983 the present Elementary School building was purchased and renovated. At this time the verse in Isaiah 54:13, “All your sons will be taught by the Lord and great will be your reward”, was meaningful and motivating to him. Then in 1985 God spoke clearly to him again through Isaiah 43:18 & 19, “Forget the former things; do you not perceive it?” God used this verse to enable him to see the completion of the east wing of the church in 1991 and the vision of the future expansion of the church that would someday in the future be Gilead Christian School’s South Campus (2004).
Charles was a very positive person who wanted God’s purposes to be fulfilled in his life. He served on various denominational (EFC-ER) boards. For nine years he was president of the Missionary Board; nine years on the Ministerial Accreditation Board; nine years as District Superintendent and as President of Wakefield Camp for nine years.
Following his retirement he served as interim pastor in four churches: Westgate Friends, Columbus, OH; Orange Road Friends, Lewis Center, OH; Alum Creek Friends, Marengo, OH; and Fulton Creek Friends, Richwood, OH.
Upon retirement in 1995, Gilead Friends gave them 5.89 acres of land on which he built their home with the help of many people to which he was forever grateful. His loving wife, Ann Patricia, passed away on January 28, 2001, after a courageous ten year battle against cancer. Also preceding him in death were a brother and sister-in-law, Clifton J. (Betty) Robinson; Sister Eleanor Peck; a brother, George Edward Robinson; a sister and brother-in-law, Audrey (Winston) Dudley; a son-in-law, Jay Scarpella and a step great-granddaughter, Alissa Bear.
Charles was a very long loving and humble man who had a way of making you feel “comfortable, accepted and loved” and encouraged his church family to follow his example. He wasn’t afraid to dream big and to follow his dream when he felt sure the Lord was directing him. He will be dearly missed by his wife and family and all who knew and loved him. However, he longed to be in the presence of Jesus and those he loved who had gone on before him and especially his precious wife, Ann Patricia, to whom he was married for nearly fifty years.
Friends may call from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 6, at the Gilead Friends Church, 3632 Gilead Twp. Rd. 115, Mt. Gilead, Ohio 43338. A service in celebration of his life will follow Saturday at 4:00 PM with Pastor Brian Mosher officiating. Burial will follow in the Quakerdom Cemetery (Gilead Friends Cemetery).
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Scholarship Fund of the Gilead Christian School or the Gilead Friends Church, 3632 Gilead Twp. Rd. 115 Mount Gilead, OH 43338.
Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
About Marion Online Obituaries
