Johnnie Robbins

In 1968, Johnnie Mae returned to North Carolina to begin a new era of her life. Returning to North Carolina that’s when she met the love of her life, Rufus Arden Robbins, Sr. Marrying Rufus, Johnnie Mae and he together raised Everett, Jeremiah, and Anita and extended their family, adding Rufus, Joanna, Lucille, and Linda.

In 1975, relocating to Philadelphia Johnnie Mae and Rufus Sr. created a house of love, adventure, and togetherness. When you saw one, you saw all. Family was first and foremost, education was key, respect was primary, and love was the foundation. Johnnie Mae was the epitome of a mother. The matriarch of the family, she stood by her husband, supported her children, and cherished her grandchildren. Nothing stopped Johnnie Mae. She was a woman of steadfastness, despite her physical pain.

Johnnie Mae dedicated her life to The Lord, joining the Revelation Church of Christ in 1985. Later, she joined the Fellowship Revival Church of Love, becoming a long-time member and elevated to the Mothers’ Board. Johnnie Mae was a volunteer with the School District of Philadelphia. In August of 2018, she joined the A-Z Senior Center where she enjoyed attending. Johnnie Mae especially looked forward to going to the Center and being involved with the different trips and spending time with the many friends she met there.

On Saturday, May 18, 2019, Johnnie Mae Elizabeth Robbins left this earthly realm, surrounded by her daughter, Joanna, her son, Jr., her grandson, Franklin, Franklin’s girlfriend, Ashley, her son-in-law, Barry, her granddaughter, Sherice, and longtime friend, Nadine. Resting in the arms of Jesus, she forever joins her husband, her parents, her stepmother Gussie, stepbrother Frank, and her many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Always cherishing her memories are her beloved children: Everett Hackett Jr. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jeremiah Hackett (Sharon) of Durham North Carolina, Anita Hackett of Asheville, North Carolina, Rufus Robbins Jr. of Cleveland, North Carolina, Joanna Sumner (Barry) of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, Lucille Witherspoon of Gastonia North Carolina, and Linda Robbins of Gastonia, North Carolina; her grandson who was raised in the home, Franklin Robbins; sisters-in-law: Roxy Mae Clark of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Pauline Rucker of Salisbury, North Carolina; brother-in-law, Torrance Robbins Jr. of Philadelphia Pennsylvania; nineteen grand-children, a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends; life-time friends, Mary Patterson, Nadine Ray, Toni Coleman, and Tiny Wells, and sister-girlfriend, Georgianna Teatter.

Momma, we love you. Grandma, we adore you, always now and forever,

Lovingly Submitted,

The Family