Obituary for Bessie Robinson
BESSIE REE ROBINSON
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Her children arise up, and call her blessed”
Proverbs 31
Her Life and Legacy
Bessie Ree Frelix Robinson, 93, of Riviera Beach, FL was born March 17, 1929, in Monticello, Mississippi as the only child of Add and Lonie Mae Frelix. Bessie passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2022. She was the widow of Thomas W. Robinson, Sr, to whom she was married for 66 years. She was affectionately known to many as Mrs. Robinson, Bessie, Nanna, Nanna Bessie or Mama Do Right because of her generosity in advice and unique words of wisdom.
Bessie Ree Frelix grew up in Marion County Mississippi where she attended the public schools and began her early religious training in the Baptist Church. She became a faithful and devoted member of several local Palm Beach County churches including Faith Holy Temple Evangelist Church, New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, both of Riviera Beach, and most recently Calvary Community Church in West Palm Beach. As Bessie’s health declined due to dementia, she was unable to attend, but for as long as she was able to speak, she sang all the hymns and songs so familiar to the worship experience. It was evident how much she loved them because she knew all the words and verses.
In 1946, Bessie married the love of her life, Thomas W. Robinson, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she worked in the Army Post Exchange, and he was stationed in the service during World War II. From this union, four children were born Sandra, Voncia, Cynthia and Thomas, Jr. Her husband, Thomas Sr., preceded her in death in 2012.
Prior to her marriage to Thomas Robinson, Bessie was married to James Johnson. The couple had one daughter, Essie Lee Pittman, who passed away in 2006.
Bessie was a loving and devoted mother of her five children, grandmother of eight, great-grandmother of ten and great great-grandmother of fourteen. She spent the early years of her marriage as a housewife. She later worked on housekeeping teams that annually prepared Palm Beach mansions for opening for winter and closing for spring as well as the maintenance of these large residences during the summer. Eventually she went solo with her expertise, using her children as her team. Before retiring she worked as a laundress, maid and chef’s helper for a Palm Beach cooking school, Au Bon Gout, owned by Harriet P. Healey, and helped her host some of the culinary greats such as James Beard and Julia Child. When Bessie decided to retire at age fifty six, she devoted herself to raising orchids, gardening and being a super grandma. She enjoyed traveling nationally and internationally with her children and visiting her grandchildren. She was a doting mother and grandmother who loved them mightily.
Mrs. Robinson spent many productive years on the Trustee Board of New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where she got the name “Mama Do Right”. Her admonition to everyone was that despite what anyone else is doing, you do right. Many who remember Bessie’s mantra and her legacy of right living and generous service continue to use this endearing term, “Do Right”. For many years, her favorite project was food distribution to the Avenue "S" community on Thursdays. This activity was run as a church-generated outreach 1990s and early 2000s. She and her volunteers were very faithful; but her declining health forced her to discontinue this much needed venture. Fortunately, by God’s design, JAY Ministries continues this outreach to the community.
She also oversaw the finances for her husband’s businesses, Robinson’s Beverages, formerly located on 7th Street and Tamarind Avenue and Robinson’s Café near 6th Street and Rosemary Avenue in West Palm Beach. Blessed is the wife whose husband trusts her with his money.
On Saturday morning, July 2, 2022, the Lord saw fit to quietly call Bessie home. She had struggled with the ravages of dementia for over fifteen years. Her children were committed to providing the best care around the clock to keep her comfortable in her own home. As an only child she had children so she would never be alone again, and her children made sure her wishes were granted.
To mourn her loss, Bessie leaves her children: Dr. Sandra Robinson and Dr. Cynthia Smith of West Palm Beach,
Dr. Voncia Haywood (Pastor Elvis “Be Still”) Veal of Riviera Beach and Thomas (Linda) Robinson, Jr. of Duluth, GA. Grandchildren: Antoine (Jill) Haywood, Philadelphia, PA; Adrian (Matthania) Haywood, Austin, TX; Ezna Veal, Los Angeles, CA; Felicia Johnson, Hattiesburg, MS; Olivia Alford, Pass Christian, MS; Aris Garner, Los Angeles, CA, Christopher Garner, Los Angeles, CA, Craig (Kara) Garner, Fayetteville, NC; and a host of great-grands, great great-grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and special friend, Mrs. Annie Hill. The family wishes to thank the many caregivers she has had over the last fifteen years: Paulene Guerrier, Dahlia Creary, Lachantyne Barnes, Yariska Franco, Samantha Rastagh; Alejandra Perez, Caswanda Carter. Clara Robinson. Yamila Torres, Sharene Love and Christine Grimes (deceased),
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Her children arise up, and call her blessed”
Proverbs 31
Her Life and Legacy
Bessie Ree Frelix Robinson, 93, of Riviera Beach, FL was born March 17, 1929, in Monticello, Mississippi as the only child of Add and Lonie Mae Frelix. Bessie passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2022. She was the widow of Thomas W. Robinson, Sr, to whom she was married for 66 years. She was affectionately known to many as Mrs. Robinson, Bessie, Nanna, Nanna Bessie or Mama Do Right because of her generosity in advice and unique words of wisdom.
Bessie Ree Frelix grew up in Marion County Mississippi where she attended the public schools and began her early religious training in the Baptist Church. She became a faithful and devoted member of several local Palm Beach County churches including Faith Holy Temple Evangelist Church, New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, both of Riviera Beach, and most recently Calvary Community Church in West Palm Beach. As Bessie’s health declined due to dementia, she was unable to attend, but for as long as she was able to speak, she sang all the hymns and songs so familiar to the worship experience. It was evident how much she loved them because she knew all the words and verses.
In 1946, Bessie married the love of her life, Thomas W. Robinson, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she worked in the Army Post Exchange, and he was stationed in the service during World War II. From this union, four children were born Sandra, Voncia, Cynthia and Thomas, Jr. Her husband, Thomas Sr., preceded her in death in 2012.
Prior to her marriage to Thomas Robinson, Bessie was married to James Johnson. The couple had one daughter, Essie Lee Pittman, who passed away in 2006.
Bessie was a loving and devoted mother of her five children, grandmother of eight, great-grandmother of ten and great great-grandmother of fourteen. She spent the early years of her marriage as a housewife. She later worked on housekeeping teams that annually prepared Palm Beach mansions for opening for winter and closing for spring as well as the maintenance of these large residences during the summer. Eventually she went solo with her expertise, using her children as her team. Before retiring she worked as a laundress, maid and chef’s helper for a Palm Beach cooking school, Au Bon Gout, owned by Harriet P. Healey, and helped her host some of the culinary greats such as James Beard and Julia Child. When Bessie decided to retire at age fifty six, she devoted herself to raising orchids, gardening and being a super grandma. She enjoyed traveling nationally and internationally with her children and visiting her grandchildren. She was a doting mother and grandmother who loved them mightily.
Mrs. Robinson spent many productive years on the Trustee Board of New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where she got the name “Mama Do Right”. Her admonition to everyone was that despite what anyone else is doing, you do right. Many who remember Bessie’s mantra and her legacy of right living and generous service continue to use this endearing term, “Do Right”. For many years, her favorite project was food distribution to the Avenue "S" community on Thursdays. This activity was run as a church-generated outreach 1990s and early 2000s. She and her volunteers were very faithful; but her declining health forced her to discontinue this much needed venture. Fortunately, by God’s design, JAY Ministries continues this outreach to the community.
She also oversaw the finances for her husband’s businesses, Robinson’s Beverages, formerly located on 7th Street and Tamarind Avenue and Robinson’s Café near 6th Street and Rosemary Avenue in West Palm Beach. Blessed is the wife whose husband trusts her with his money.
On Saturday morning, July 2, 2022, the Lord saw fit to quietly call Bessie home. She had struggled with the ravages of dementia for over fifteen years. Her children were committed to providing the best care around the clock to keep her comfortable in her own home. As an only child she had children so she would never be alone again, and her children made sure her wishes were granted.
To mourn her loss, Bessie leaves her children: Dr. Sandra Robinson and Dr. Cynthia Smith of West Palm Beach,
Dr. Voncia Haywood (Pastor Elvis “Be Still”) Veal of Riviera Beach and Thomas (Linda) Robinson, Jr. of Duluth, GA. Grandchildren: Antoine (Jill) Haywood, Philadelphia, PA; Adrian (Matthania) Haywood, Austin, TX; Ezna Veal, Los Angeles, CA; Felicia Johnson, Hattiesburg, MS; Olivia Alford, Pass Christian, MS; Aris Garner, Los Angeles, CA, Christopher Garner, Los Angeles, CA, Craig (Kara) Garner, Fayetteville, NC; and a host of great-grands, great great-grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and special friend, Mrs. Annie Hill. The family wishes to thank the many caregivers she has had over the last fifteen years: Paulene Guerrier, Dahlia Creary, Lachantyne Barnes, Yariska Franco, Samantha Rastagh; Alejandra Perez, Caswanda Carter. Clara Robinson. Yamila Torres, Sharene Love and Christine Grimes (deceased),