Ruth Robinson

Ruth Dorothy Brevard Robinson was born on February 20, 1935 and departed this earthly existence on October 8, 2022. She was the daughter of the late Paris and Mary Jane Brevard and attended St. Paul United Methodist Church in Camden, SC.

Ruth attended Knights Hill Elementary School and Kirkwood School before graduating from Jackson High School. After graduating she was immediately sent North for better opportunities and worked at a candy factory in Brooklyn, NY for a short time before becoming a longtime employee of a family in Great Neck, NY. She later had a 23-year career at North Shore Hospital where she retired. She was a member of St. Paul AME Zion Church in Great Neck, NY and later joined Hempstead United Methodist Church in Hempstead, NY. While working in Great Neck she reconnected with the late William Robinson from Camden. They married and had four children.

Ruth took several college courses at Nassau Community College and was an important NAACP witness in a case against the Manhasset School System in the successful effort to integrate the schools there in 1965. She was a tireless community and education advocate who impacted young people from Head Start to those entering college from the Manhasset Valley community. In 2019, Mrs. Robinson was one of three individuals recognized with a Pioneer Award from the Manhasset Valley Community Foundation for her long-term community work and role in the school system integration.

She was known as a “Community Mother” on Long Island and established her own catering service after retiring from the hospital. She served meals to the homeless at her church in Hempstead and was about to prepare food for one of her granddaughters’ engagement party when she passed. Her favorite music artist was Luther Vandross. She will be honored with his music. She was cremated in South Carolina and will, ultimately, be laid to rest on Long Island, New York.

She is survived by her children, William Stanley Robinson of Camden, SC, Stephan Allen Robinson (Carolyn) of Roosevelt, NY, Sharon Ann Robinson of Camden, SC, and Sylvesta Robinson (Lotta) of Camden, SC; grandchildren, Evita Robinson of Newark, NJ, Sarafina Robinson of Stratford, CT, Jewel Robinson of Wyandanch, NY, and Alisha (Jay) Joe of Camden, SC; great-grandchildren, Kali and Krystal; surviving siblings include, William “Bill” Brevard of Stamford, CT, Fannie Mae Dorsey of Atlanta, GA, Elnora Brevard of Hempstead, NY, and Beverly Brevard of Dumfries, VA; sisters-in-law, Wilma Brevard of Bridgeport, CT, Perlie Mae Robinson of Norwalk, CT; brother-in-law, Theodore Blair of Queens, NY; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brother, Paris, Jr. and granddaughter, Shalanda Williams.