Mrs. Lizzie M. Robinson

Our beloved Lizzie Mae Dillard Robinson passed away October 4, 2023, following a brief illness. She was 85 years old. A woman of wisdom, kindness and strength, she touched many throughout her life, including her family, friends and the numerous children she taught during her nearly 40-year career as an educator. Lizzie was born March 6, 1938, in Newellton, La., to Willie Barber (mother) and Willie Dillard (father). An exceptional student, she was the valedictorian of her 1956 graduating class at Tensas Parish High School in Louisiana. Four years later, she graduated with highest honors—summa cum laude—from Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., with a bachelor’s in mathematics. In 1978, she earned her master’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Lizzie married Tallulah, La.-native Steven Nathaniel Robinson on June 25, 1961, and afterward, moved to Saginaw. During the next four years, she and her husband would become parents to two children: Reginald and Sonya. Although Lizzie began teaching math in 1960 at her former high school, she spent most of her career in Michigan, where she worked in Buena Vista and Saginaw. In 1963, she joined the staff of Arthur Eddy Junior High School as a math teacher and happily remained there 25 years. When ‘Eddy’ closed in 1989, she taught math at North Intermediate Middle School, retiring in June 1998. Known for her warm smile and honesty, she was a good listener and had a gift for making others feel valued. She believed in the importance of family and simply adored her grandsons. Dedicated to her Christian faith, she was a member of TrueVine Missionary Baptist Church. She had been a former member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church and Bethlehem Baptist Church, serving for years as a youth Sunday School teacher and usher, respectively. She also was a lifetime member of the NAACP. Especially dear to her heart was her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. A Delta soror for 65 years, she was a founding member of the Saginaw Alumnae Chapter and remained committed to her sorority and its goals until her death. Cherishing her memory are her children, Reginald Robinson, Saginaw, and Sonya (George) Baker, Indianapolis, IN; grandsons Randall (Miles Faciane) Robinson, Chicago, IL; Samuel Johnson, Killeen, TX; Geordan Baker,Los Angeles, CA; and Tyler Baker, Indianapolis, IN; siblings George Washington and Willie Washington, both of Las Vegas; NV; Bobbie (Ronnie) Culpepper, Detroit, MI; godson Maurice Taylor and special ‘son’ Michael Thomas, both of Saginaw; special ‘daughters’ Jeanette Anderson, Hurst, TX, Carlean Brown and Uzena (Baqui) McKnight, both of Saginaw; special ‘grandsons’ James Akins and Devin Brown, both of Saginaw, and Anthony Akins, Grand Rapids, MI; and a host of dear nieces, nephews, relatives, sorors and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years Steve Robinson, parents Willie Barber and Willie Dillard, siblings Hersea Brown and Louise Thompson, and grandson Reginald Brown. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Saginaw Alumnae Chapter, will conduct theiir Omega Omega Service at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at TrueVine Missionary Baptist Church, 2930 Janes St., Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Pastor Paul E. Broaddus will officiate with interment in Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI 48442.

Mrs. Lizzie M. Robinson

March 6, 1938 - October 4, 2023