Shirley Robinson

Shirley's Life Story

Born on August 12, 1942, Shirley Audrey, was truly Wednesday’s child, a great conversationalist, curious, witty & expressive. She moved from death to eternal life on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Shirley grew up in South Philadelphia, mostly on Delancey Street. She spent many summers on her maternal grandparents, Joshua and Ida Jones’ farm in Raleigh, North Carolina with her siblings, Sedocia & Nathaniel and cousins Ordeen & Rachel. As a young adult she lived in North Philadelphia’s neighborhoods of West Fairmount and Brewerytown. She grew up loved and surrounded by family. As her Dad, Robert Grace, and Mom, Mildred Grace, had more children, Shirley expanded her heart to include each new addition. She was the quintessential oldest sister and Mom’s greatest helper. In her young adult life, she met three older paternal siblings: Eva, Bobby & Clyde and her heart grew even more. From 1st meeting until her dying day she reminded her family that she loved them dearly.

Shirley’s education started at McCall Elementary School, and she graduated from South Philadelphia High School, where she was a majorette. She attended business school and Pierce Jr. College. Although she never drove or had a driver’s license, as a pre-teen, Shirley won a car! She kept the tires but sold the car andused the money to help her family and to finance her education. Her encounter with religion outside of the home began in a Bible Club that was held at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. When the family moved from South Philly to North Philadelphia, they accepted an invitation from Gertrude Strawberry to attend Eternal Baptist Church, Pastor: Reverend Eubie Gilbert and later she joined Glory Baptist Church, Founder & Pastor: Reverend Leroy Taylor. Shirley loved God and served God on many ministries.

Shirley Grace met Robert Robinson through her sister, Sedocia, who was a friend of Robert’s sister, Delores and on July 28, 1963, she and Robert were wed in Holy Matrimony. Shirley became the ultimate boy Mom, giving birth to Robert Jr., Rodney Maurice, Roger Marcell, and Roy Marcus. She was fascinated by their existence, and she loved their varied personalities. Her sons were raised in the life of the church, knowing that there is one God, the maker of heaven and earth, who sent Jesus, who is the Savior of the world - and only God is worthy to be praised. She loved her husband and her sons, and she maintained a faithful, unwavering, disciplined devotion to their well-being.

Throughout her life Shirley held several employments. She worked at Snellinburg, at Kelsie and Hayes Auto, where she met Shirley Ross, at Grant Office Equipment, a Tax Office, the IRS and Sears and Robuck. No matter the job, she was a dedicated worker. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays was the glue of the Grace Family’s bond. Shirley was always wherever the family gathered. She enjoyed Aunt Arleane’s fish fries and chatting in the kitchen. Often these gatherings turned into impromptu prayer meetings, which later became a monthly family wide prayer meeting. As time went on Shirley facilitated the Grace Saturday Sibling Prayer call. Each week she assigned a sibling to lead this time of Bible Study, prayer, family updates, laughter, and togetherness. Shirley was a great supporter of the annual family reunion, and she loved sister’s weekend, where she shared her joys and sorrows with no requirements to posture. She even reminded us of songs from the 50s and 60s and even how to do the pony!

An advocate of family prayer, Shirley arranged a Grace Family Prayer Breakfast in the community room of the Alician Senior Apartments. In turn, we held her 80th Birthday party in the convenience of that same room. She was excited and appreciative to see her siblings and the generations of nieces and nephews who crowded out the room in celebration of her birthday! Determined to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Shirley launched a card ministry and each card that she sent had a Bible verse. She was serious about letting everyone know that she had an encounter with God that changed her life and they too could know God themselves because “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believed in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” For her card ministry and participation in her tenant association, Shirley was recently recognized with the “good neighbor” award.

She is predeceased by her Dad, Robert Grace (1985); her Mom, Mildred Grace (2000); a grandchild, Rodshad (1998); Sisters: Eva Carswell (1996) and Sedocia Burch (1999); Brothers: Bobby Davis (2003), Clyde Franklin Grace (2010), Joshua Grace (2016) and Nathaniel Grace (2016); and god-daughter, April Burch (2024). Blessed memories of Shirley reside in the thoughts of her sweetie - her husband, Robert Robinson, Sr., her children: Robert Robinson, Jr. (Linda), Rodney Robinson (Lisa), Roger Robinson, Sr. (Teresa), Mickey Robinson Davis, Roy Robinson (Vanessa), and Sharee; 14 Grandchildren: Amber, Patrice, Rodney, Nichole, Yasmene, Roger Jr., Rochelle, Tomas, Nahdya, Mickey, Maya, Nora Ann, Roy and Raceem and 5 great grandchildren: Macayla, Gregory, Josiah, Lauryn, and Rylan. Her siblings: Diane (Calvin), Lillie (Anthony), Juanita (Rickie), Ida, Mary (Glenn), Malachi (Dana), Joyce, Louise (David). More than 65 nieces and nephews, a host of grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, lots of cousins, her Alician Apartment neighbors and golden friends.