Henrietta (ELY) Robinson

Mother Henrietta Robinson was born December 2, 1941 in Mobile, Alabama to the late Rev. Henry and Ruth Etta Ely, Sr. Henrietta was the eldest of 6 children. She was raised in Mobile, Alabama until she was 2 years old. Her parents moved to Dayton, Ohio where she spent her most formative years.Henrietta attended Dayton Public Schools and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1960. Henrietta worked various jobs, was a cook, and a seamstress and would sew for people and different singing groups. She was very creative and enjoyed arts, crafts, and crocheting. 

Mother Robinson was brought up in church, and at a young age attended Mt. Enon Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio. She was a singer from her youth. Her grandmother, Estelle Payton, would take her to churches to sing when she was a young girl. This talent grew and she began to sing with singing groups in the city of Dayton, Ohio. She sang and recorded with such groups as The Spirit of Faith, The Golden Voices of Harmony, and The Gospel Jewels of Dayton, Ohio, The Silveraires and The Brown Singers of Mobile, Alabama. In 1973, Henrietta married James Smith of Chicago, Illinois. To this union were born 3 sons, Mark, Demetrius, and Carlton Smith. Her children were her pride and joy. In 1978, Henrietta received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost!

Mother Robsinon was a strong woman in every area of her life and  had a mother’s touch. She helped raise her nieces and nephews, and had no problem correcting other children. Mother Robinson would take people in who did not have a place to stay. She was a loving and an unselfish giving person. When times were hard and there was not sufficient food, she would invent meals such as rice salad. She had a passion and a love for God that led her to a prayer and spiritual life. She would often pray for people and God would manifest Himself. Mother Robinson was a praiser! She did not like a dead service. Every time she was in worship service, at home, or work, she could be found praising God. She would encourage her children, nieces and nephews, to have a prayer life and kept them in church as often as she could.

In 1994, Henrietta married Glenn Robinson. Shortly after the marriage, the couple moved back to Mobile, Alabama to care for her elderly grandparents, Ricmond and Estelle Payton. She remained there until her health began to fail. Although Mother Robinson loved music, she also had a love for God’s Word.  In November 2006, Henrietta began to observe the 7th Day Sabbath and the Holy Festivals as it is outlined in God’s Word. Henrietta was baptized in Jesus’ Name during the Day of Atonement in 2007.  She loved the Passover and would visit Cleveland, Ohio with her son Carlton for feet washing and communion service.  In 2011, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio with her son Carlton where she remained until her death. Mother Robinson was a proud member of Shiloh Temple House of God where Apostle Steven Best was her pastor. She was a faithful member of the church until her health began to decline. Mother Robinson served with the Missionary department and would often go to the nursing home and be the soloist. She was also a member of the Mother’s Board. On occasion, she would sing solos at the church for less than 2 minutes and sit down. When the preacher would preach you could always count on Mother Robinson saying, “Bless him good, Lord”!

Mother Robinson was preceded in death by her grandparents; Richmond and Estelle Payton, parents; Rev. Henry and Ruth Etta Ely; Uncle and Aunt, Leonard and Martha Gray, brother; Henry Ely, Jr.,  son; Mark Smith, and nephew; Xavier Harding, Sr.

On July 5, 2020, Mother Robinson was called home to be with Jesus Christ and leaves to cherish her memory 2 sisters; Carolyn Harding and Barbara Lynch,  2 brothers;  Rev. Shy Quon Ely, Sr (Marie) and Rev. Melvin (Rochelle) Ely, 2 sons; Demetrius (Othella) Smith, and Carlton (Rashida) Smith; special cousins; Margaret Ash, Leonard Gray, Rosa Gray-Tucker, Lillian Gray, and Joyce Roberson, 4 grandchildren; Demetrius Smith Jr., Gabrielle, Caitlyn, and Jailyn Smith, goddaughter; Roshaunda Smith, Special friends; Tamara Hall, Diane Brown, Debbie Carroll, Jackie Williams, Catherine Tyson, Willie Mae Moore, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and the entire Shiloh Temple House of God family.

Humbly Submitted,

The Family

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