Obituary of Mary Ann Robinson

Mary Ann Robinson, daughter of the late Charlie James and Florence Allen James, was born in Cumberland County, Virginia July 29, 1939. After battling colon cancer for almost two years, she departed this life on June 21, 2012 at Embracing Hospice in Snellville, GA. Mary received her education in Cumberland County Public Schools. She attended Mount Olive Baptist Church as a child. It was there that she accepted Christ and was baptized at a young age. Her faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continued to be a prevalent force throughout her life. Mary moved to Paterson, NJ where she united in holy matrimony to Edward "Bucky" Robinson on February 15, 1958. To this union they were blessed with four children; two of whom preceded her in death, Cynthia and Edward. Mary completed business school and earned a certificate in keypunching, but decided that her true passion rested in caring for children. She received several awards for over 25 years of outstanding service as a foster mother from the State of New Jersey, Division of Youth and Family Services. She also took care of the children of family members and neighbors in her home. She ensured that everyone behaved, completed homework, and had plenty to eat. Whether you called her "Mommy," "Aunt Mary," or "Cousin Mary," you knew she expected you to always be on your best behavior in school and at home. Mary moved back to Cumberland, VA in 1993 where she renewed her membership to Mount Olive Baptist Church. In Cumberland, she would often be seen with her favorite niece, Ernestine R. Sharpe. Mary leaves behind her husband, Edward "Bucky" Robinson; her two daughters, Judith Dunn and Sabrina McDow; two sons-in-law, Guy Dunn, Sr. and Larry McDow; one daughter-in-law, Janifer Rice-Robinson; seven grandchildren, Robert Taylor, Justin Taylor, Jalen Robinson, Rachel Nixon, Danielle Helm, Michael Cowan, Summer McDow; two great-grandchildren, Sarah Taylor, Kori Taylor; one step mother, Julia Boatwright James; three half-sisters Minnie, Betty, and Bertha, three half-brothers, David, Joseph, and William James; a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.