First Lady Shirley Ann Robbins

Shirley Ann Williams Robbins was born June 23, 1933 in Columbus Ohio to the union of Alfred Walter Williams, Sr. and Virginia Beatrice Redd. She departed this life on Saturday December 3, 2011 at the age of 78.

On December 24, 1951 Mother Shirley Robbins was united in holy matrimony to Rev. Damon L. Robbins, Sr. Within this union five (5) children were born. They are Damon L. Robbins, Jr., Pythian Robbins, Rebecca Jones (Jonathan), Raymond Robbins, and Jonathan Robbins. In addition to her natural children, Mother Shirley Robbins stood in the “gap” for the motherless, the downtrodden, the suffering and the struggling souls in need of a mother's touch, voice and most of all encouragement. Mother Shirley Robbins was a true mother in Zion.

Mother Shirley Robbins accepted the call to be numbered among the saints of God in 1968 when she was baptized at St. Thomas Baptist Church under Rev. Calvin C. Allen of Columbus, OH. The Lord moved upon Rev. Damon Robbins, Sr. to start a work in 1974 and in 1988 to pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Portsmouth, OH. As the “First Lady” of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Mother Shirley Robbins supported her husband's ministry and ministered to the people of God along side her husband. Mother Shirley Robbins chauffeured her husband to and from his ministry appointments through good and bad road conditions. She never complained and was on time. She was faithful in her support even when her health was failing. Mother Shirley Robbins refuse to get “weary in well doing” and often reminded all “I made God a promise”.

Mother Shirley Robbins lived her life to the glory of God. Through His glory shining on her, she was an example of a virtuous woman. As stated in Proverbs 31:10-11, “Her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” If you saw Pastor Robbins, she was beside him. She was a woman that tended to the things of her house. She worked to make her house a home for her family and often time the wayward stranger. She opened up her doors with much hospitality and made her guest believe they were important in the eyesight of God. She ministered to the sick and shut-in, she fed the hungry, she put her hands and mind to work wherever they were needed. She was and example to working women, having retired after 30 years of service to the Gross man Company in Columbus, that you can work outside the home and maintain a “holy” presence. Proverbs 31 goes on to describe Mother Shirley Robbins in versus 25 and 26. “Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” Mother Shirley Robbins truly exemplifies these scriptures and we called her blessed.

On Saturday, December 3, 2011, Mother Shirley Robbins accepted her divine appointment and joined her deceased parents, three month old infant son Raymond, her brother Alfred Walter Williams, Jr and dear sister-in-law Margaret Williams. Surviving to cherish her memories are her husband of sixty (60) years Rev. Damon L. Robbins, Sr., four children: Damon L. Robbins, Jr., Pythian Robbins, Rebecca Jones(Jonathan), and Jonathan Robbins. Special Sons: Pastor Torrence Dunn(Debbie), Minister Tony Cornett, Minister Raymond Prysock, Pastor Stanley Griffin and Roger Farragher. 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren and a host of wonderful family, church members, and friends. To God be the Glory!