Elsie Maureen Robinson

Elsie Maureen Matthews Robinson was born January 19, 1927 in Benton, AR. She was one of twelve children born to the late Jeff and Savannah Matthews. Elsie, like many of her siblings, attended school in the Gum Grove Community in Lisbon, LA. Their parents were sharecroppers. Elsie, her sisters and brothers toiled yearlong in cotton and corn fields in LA and raised hogs, chickens, cows, and grew vegetables to support their family. Sis. Robinson accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and united with the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Lisbon, LA. As a young adult, Elsie relocated to El Dorado, AR. It was in El Dorado where she met, fell in love and married Leon Robinson. Shortly afterwards they become members of New Bethel Baptist Church in El Dorado. Elsie and Leon were very active at New Bethel under their pastor Rev. J. F. Kelly. Later, she and her husband along with other former members of New Bethel helped organize and began the St. John Missionary Baptist Church where the Rev. A. D. Coffey was chosen as Pastor. Again, she served in many areas at St. John including Sunday School teacher, sung in the choir and Deaconess. For many years, Elsie was the main voice of the Sunday evening live radio broadcast for the St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Sis. Robinson was one of the strong pillars in her church. Sis Robinson was recognized by both New Bethel and St. John for her many years of faithful service. Throughout the years, she received many plaques and service certificates for her service. Sis. Robinson was a true servant, a very kind and generous woman who was loved by her family and many friends. Sis. Robinson remained a faithful member at St. John Baptist Church until her health declined. Sis. Robinson faith was very important to her. She read her Bible daily. She provided a constant source of advice, wisdom and love to all who would listen. Many of you in the audience can attest to her faithfulness and devotion to our Lord, family and others. She loved unconditionally. It is impossible to count how many people she taught about God and His love for us. Sis. Robinson witnessed about God’s love, how Jesus died for our sins and how we might be saved. Sis. Robinson had a mission to help others to come to know Jesus. Many, too, will remember Sis. Robinson as being an excellent seamstress. Her sewing machine was constantly humming as she made dresses for proms, weddings, choir robes, special occasions and casual wear. Sis. Robinson also was a great cook, had a green thumb for her flowers and took pride in having a small vegetable garden. Sis. Robinson went to be with the Lord on Thursday March 8, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents Jeff and Savannah Matthews, her husband Leon Robinson, sisters Irene Matthews, Jesse Williams, Annie Cameron, Margie Plummer, brothers Johnny Matthews, Gene Matthews, Jeff Matthews Jr., and one grandson Desmond Ford. Sis. Robinson leaves to cherish her memory Rev. James Ford Sr., Desoto, TX. Earnest Ford Maumelle, AR and Jethro Ford Jr., El Dorado, AR and step-daughter Marcie Eure (Vince), Alexandria, VA. Her grandchildren Victoria Ford, Maumelle, AR, Rev. James Ford, Jr. (Mary) Fort Worth, TX, Erika Ford-Preval, (John) Atlanta, GA., J.T. Eure, Alexandria, VA, Trevor Eure, Alexandria, VA; three sisters; Juanita Matthews, Bernice, LA, Alfriza Moore, El Dorado, AR and Evelyn Christopher ( Rev. Gregory Christopher) Tacoma, WA, 5 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Public Visitation will be from 12 noon until 6pm on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Sims Mortuary. Funeral services will be at 11:00am on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at St. John Baptist Church with Rev. Luther Harris, eulogist. Interment will be at Lott Burgy Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook online at www.simsmortuary.com Active Pallbearers will be Willie Gafford, Ken Ruffin, Eddie Plummer, Kenneth Johnson, Bernard Snowden, Jay Plummer and John Moore, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons and Deaconess of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elsie Maureen Robinson, please visit our flower store.