Dolores M. Robinson

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Dolores Robinson, the vibrant matriarch of a sprawling family and a beacon of love and resilience, passed away surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Johns, Alabama, as the eldest of nine children to Wilburt and Rosa Lee Harville, Dolores's early life was marked by a profound sense of responsibility which she carried with grace throughout her life.

From the fields of Alabama where she daringly ‘borrowed’ corn to feed her siblings, to the bustling communities of Staten Island NY, Bethlehem PA, and finally San Marcos, CA, Dolores's journey was rich with the laughter of children, the joy of gospel music, and the steadfast love of a community she nurtured as her own. She is known for her prayer life.  She often prayed for “Traveling Mercy” and that “The Lord Bless the Fruit of her womb”.  As a testament to these Prayers she did not lose not one of her 9 Children, 31 Grand Children, 49 Great Grand Children, or 15 Great Grand Children until her 87th year of life 

Dolores was a firecracker—a woman whose blunt New York candor was tempered by the deepest compassion. Whether she was advocating for the vulnerable at Willow Brook Developmental Center or volunteering at Grace Church, she did it with a heart that knew no bounds. 

Her home was a haven of inclusivity, from Thanksgiving dinners with sweet potato pies and collard greens to simple afternoons spent caring for her grandchildren. Dolores’s life was a testament to her belief in the sanctity of family and community. Every special occasion under her roof was a celebration of collective joy, irrespective of one's background.

Dolores’s loved shopping—not just for the deals, but for the opportunity to share those finds with those she loved, demonstrating her innate generosity. Her storytelling, often filled with humor, wisdom and spice, was a source of constant delight, especially her playful exchanges with her beloved husband, Edward.

Despite the adversities of the Jim Crow South, Dolores emerged not embittered but empowered, using her experiences to foster understanding and unity. Her legacy is not only in the children she raised, both her own and those she "adopted as her own,” but also in the strength and integrity she instilled in them.

As we say goodbye to Dolores, we celebrate a woman whose life was a profound expression of love. She leaves behind her 9 Children (Carolyn, Debra, Jeffrey, Charles, Cheryl, Kim, Mark, Nathan, Craig) and a community richer for her presence and a family that will continue to honor her spirit of inclusivity and resilience.

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