A real man leaves a legacy for his children to be proud...... Early Life The life of Reverend Edsel Ford Robinson, Sr., began in 1924 on a plantation in Wrightsville, Georgia. His parents, the Reverend Jasper Newton and Tressie Robinson, worked as sharecroppers. Edsel spent his early years picking cotton in rural Georgia alongside his brothers Benjamin, Jeather, Hardwick and his only sister, Gertalaharn (Gertie). As a young boy, Edsel would often stand on a crate and preach for hours in the fields much to the consternation of his sister and brothers. In his heart, young Edsel knew that he had a special calling and that one day he would become a preacher. When he wasn’t working in the fields, he walked a total of ten miles to attend Woodville Elementary School. Like many African Americans after the turn of the century, Edsel was educated in a one-room shack with used and torn books passed down from white schools. Although his formal education was sporadic, he graduated from Alfred Beach High School in 1946. Education After working odd jobs as a busboy, waiter and hospital attendant, Edsel moved to Atlanta at the age of 17. With only $35 in his pocket, he dreamed that one day he would “be somebody and serve the Lord.” Edsel became a boarder in the home of the late Bishop William A. Fountain and served as a chauffeur to him and several of the African Methodist Episcopal Church bishops, including Bishop W. A. Fountain, Bishop S.L. Greene, Bishop E. L. Hickman, Bishop R. A. Hilderbrand and Bishop H. I. Bearden. During that time Edsel sacrificed going to school consistently, often stopping mid-semester to work to send money back home to his family. He held several jobs to pay his own way through Morris Brown College where he finally completed his degree in 1959. He received the Bachelor of Divinity degree from Turner Theological Seminary. Ministry Since becoming a licensed minister in 1948, Reverend Robinson has served as pastor of Fairfield A.M.E., Douglasville, Ga.; Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, Austell, Ga.; Saint John A.M.E. Church, Atlanta, Ga.; Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Atlanta, Ga.; Fidelity A.M.E. Church, Atlanta, Ga.; Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, Decatur, Ga.; and Mount Carmel A.M.E. Church, Doraville, Ga. Throughout his ministry, Reverend Robinson was known for hosting evangelical retreats, soul-stirring revivals, and his renowned annual camp meeting which featured preachers from all faiths “every hour on the hour” inside a massive tent. Reverend Robinson used this platform to help heal his neighborhood when he erected a tent on the Herndon Elementary School grounds after witnessing a murder in the community. The two-week revival launched the career of The Reverend Jasper W. Williams, Jr., known as the “Son of Thunder,” who was called to Atlanta’s Salem Bible Church on the closing night of the revival. As a result of his dedicated service in the ministry, Reverend Robinson was bestowed a Doctor of Divinity Degree (Honoris Causa) from the Interdenominational Theological Center in 1980. Throughout his ministry, Reverend Robinson was known as a thoughtful and compassionate leader, often mentoring the careers of several ministers throughout the country. Reverend Robinson was not only seen in the pulpit but in the halls of hospitals and nursing homes, comforting the sick and aged, spending many of his hours visiting and cheering people and lending a hand to people regardless of race or social status. In 1995, Reverend Robinson was appointed by Bishop Donald G.K. Ming to serve as Presiding Elder of the Augusta/Athens District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. During his tenure as Presiding Elder, Reverend Robinson personally supervised thirty-three churches, rehabilitated several abandoned and dilapidated churches, purchased bibles and hymnals for church pews, and donated 22 sets of computer and printer equipment to facilitate more adequate church recordkeeping, budget planning and church program creation. Upon retirement as a Presiding Elder, Reverend Robinson joined his friend, the late Reverend Oliver Saxby, as an Associate Pastor at Cosmopolitan A.M.E. where he remained in service. Real Estate Reverend Robinson was also active in the business community. After graduating from the Georgia Institute of Real Estate, he opened E. F. Robinson Realty Company on Auburn Avenue, which has actively served the community since its incorporation in 1976. The company has specialized in property management as well as commercial and residential sales. As principal broker, Reverend Robinson mentored several up-and-coming real estate agents throughout the Atlanta area. He was also a critical mediator during the improper and illegal seizure of land owned for generations by African-American families in rural areas of Georgia. Reverend Robinson also successfully negotiated the renovation of several church buildings, including Fidelity A.M.E. Church on Main Street and St. John (8th St), and the procurement of Saint Phillip A.M.E. Church on Candler Road in Atlanta. He was often sought by A.M.E. bishops and ministers alike for counsel on the purchase of land for church development and easements for several African Methodist Episcopal Church properties. Reverend Robinson offered his advice and support on real estate matters to the Christian community regularly and without compensation. Honors On March 30, 1976, a capacity crowd witnessed a glowing 25th ministerial anniversary tribute to Reverend Robinson, who was then pastor of the Doraville Circuit. Well wishers from all faiths joined city officials and civic leaders inside Mount Carmel A.M.E. Church in Doraville, Ga. Reverend Robinson stood with tear-filled eyes as Ray Jenkins, District 2 Councilman, presented him with a proclamation on behalf of Doraville Mayor Jesse C. Norman recognizing May 30 as Reverend Edsel Ford Robinson Day. Councilman Jenkins expressed gratitude for Reverend Robinson’s contributions that included organizing the first Doraville-Chamblee Civic Organization, encouraging clean-up campaigns, the installation of street lights and the development of recreational activities for the elderly and youth. Reverend Robinson was also recognized for his work in establishing a community food bank, visiting the sick of all faiths, working to upgrade living conditions for African Americans, and causing a spirit of Christian love to emanate throughout all people. Community Service As a community leader, Reverend Robinson was one of the first African-American appraisers for the Veteran’s Administration and was instrumental in organizing the first North Decatur Civic Club. He was cited in the first edition of Who’s Who Among Black Americans and named one of Fulton County’s Outstanding Citizens in 1977. His community involvement over the years has included the YMCA, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, African Methodist Episcopal Ministers Union for the Metropolitan Atlanta Area and the Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility. In 1995, Reverend Robinson was recognized as an “Outstanding Georgia Citizen” by former Secretary of State Max Cleland. Love, Wife, Marriage In 1958, Reverend Robinson was invited by Reverend Cornelius Stripling to serve as his guest preacher at an afternoon church service. While sitting in the pulpit, he noticed Pearlie Mae Haynes singing in the choir. Unbeknown to the couple, Pastor Stripling and his wife Ruth had carefully planned their meeting. Reverend Robinson asked Pearlie out that same evening. Six months later, in 1959, Reverend Robinson and Pearlie Mae Haynes were married in Savannah, Ga. His Legacy Known as a quiet, soft spoken, self-made giant, a lover of mankind, trusted friend, able pastor, successful leader and gospel preacher, Reverend Robinson has proven beyond a doubt that it “matters not from whence you come but rather where you are going.” He has proven further that faith, ambition, determination, love and patience, when combined with experience, education, religion and perseverance, can produce unmatchable results.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 04:11:57 +0000
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