Mrs. Beatrice E. Robinson, in her 84th year, "looked to the hills" on Monday, July 30, 2012 from Muskogee.

On May 6th, 1928 a beautiful baby girl was born in Beggs, Ok to Abbiemittie (Maxwell) & Frank Gardenhire. They named her Beatrice Ella Marie.

As a child the Gardenhire family moved to Eufaula and later to Muskogee, Ok. It was in Muskogee at a young age that Beatrice professed her love for Christ and was baptized at Union Baptist Church.



Beatrice married Clyde Frederick Thompson on July 5th, 1944. To this, union they were blessed with 4 wonderful sons; Clyde Edward, Fredrick Harold, Leonard Howard and Lawrence Allen, and one beautiful and devoted daughter; Cathy Elaine. Beatrice was a faithful and loving wife until Clyde's death on January 15th, 1966.



Beatrice was, to say the least a vessel willing to be used by the Lord. She served as a faithful member at Union Baptist until she married her husband,upon which she changed her membership to his family church, Dean's Chapel Baptist Church. She served under the late Rev. William Hall, the late Rev. James H. Mason and the current pastor, Rev. Don E. Dumas. She was an active member in the Mission group, The Baptist Women, and served as President and Secretary of the WMU. Beatrice had a passion for cooking and had no qualms sharing her talents in the culinary department. It was counted a privilege and an honor by Ms. Robinson when she was named the "Mother" of the Church. It was a title she respected and was proud to wear. Her caring nature allowed her to be a mother to not only her own but to anyone that needed her. At a young age, after her mother passed she took on mothering duties for her remaining siblings that were still in the home. Beatrice could be stern and sometimes quite the "Drama Queen" but she was always smiling and willing to lend a helping hand whenver she could. She loved people and was a living testimony to the effect of: "If I can help somebody as I pass along then my living shall not be in vain."

After the loss of her first husband, Beatrice had to continue doing the best she could for her kids. She did lots of jobs to make ends meet; including working for the Severs Hotel, The Roxy Theatre and even cleaning houses. She had a love for arts and crafts and made and sold her own ceramics. She whole-heartedly loved fishing, cooking and canning for her children, grandchildren and church family. Even while Alzheimer's tried to rob her of her memory she fought back and always remembered her kids and grandkids and all those that took time to call or come by. She loved and taught the value of family!



It wasn't until she took a job at the OSU Extension that she was finally able to tap into all of her passions at once and get a paycheck for doing so. At OSU Extension she considered it a blessing to be able to help others learn how to stretch their dollars by showing them the fine art of doing what she loved most, cooking, baking and canning. She excelled and received numerous awards including Home Economist of the Year.

She served the Taft, Blackjack, and Boynton Areas. It was while working in the Caney Creek area where she met and later married Mr. Theodore "Papa" Robinson in May of 1978. The two of them spoiled their grandkids and taught them to cook, but there a love for Papa's famous buttered chicken wings and her homemade bread. On December 3rd, 2000 Papa went HOME to be with the Lord.



Beatrice kept pressing on and although climbing up the rough side of the mountain she knew it would all pay off when she would be able to walk up the King's Highway. Preceeding her to Heaven were her parents, Frank and Abbiemittie, her siblings, Martha, Frank, "RC", JoAnn, Ben, Clifford "Butch", Ruth, James Dee; her husbands, Clyde and Theodore; her oldest son Clyde, two daughter-in-laws, Margie Faye and Catherine Ann. Grandchildren, Lynetta Thompson and Shalake Blair and one great grand- daughter Ashari Lyday.



She leaves to cherish her wonderful memory: Her children; ….

Fredrick Thompson (Kathy) of Muskogee; Leonard (Robyne) Thompson of Clinton Township, MI; Lawrence (Latressia) Thompson; Cathy (Cornelius) Edwards all of Muskogee. Her siblings: Frank "Pap" Gardenhire Jr. & Viola Piggee, both of Muskogee. A multitude of grandchildren:

Clyde's Children:

Stevie (Valorie); Sarah (Odell), Cynthia, Karen, Tim, Clyde Jr. Uhl, Charles (Carol), Carmen (Larry), Travis, Jody (Michelle), Freddy, Bob, Stephan (Victoria), Varon, Joseph, Christy, Brandon, Turk and Tubby





Fred Harold's Children:

Amanda, Cinnamon & Megan





Leonard's Children:

Chris (Nikki), Imesia, Roger (Angie), Clyde, Kevin, Tamarsha, Brandon "BT", and Kendra (David)





Lawrence's Children:

Philemon Jr. "Peppy", Rodney (Robin), Lawrence Jr., Christa (Oliver), Rondale, Courtney (Lori), La Toya (Claudell), Dustin (Cathy), Lanita, Ely (Joanna), Tiarra, Ron "RJ", Jada, Lydia





Cathy's Children:

Clarence, Crystal (Billy), and CleAndrae

Ms. Beatrice Robinson leaves over 100 great grandchildren and many great-great-grandchildren. There was not one child that Ms. Robinson didn't love with her whole-heart.



In addition to cherishing the great memory of Ms. Robinson are several nieces and nephews: Cheryl, Claudie Lee (Stermond), Brenda Jo, Everett (Sherry), Glen, Wayne, Robert, and Elroy. She also leaves a grand host of other family members and friends that will always fondly recall wonderful times with the one and only Ms. Beatrice Robinson.

Ms. Robinson illness tried to slow her down but it never took away her quick wit and spunk. As the illness progressed she moved from Greenleaf Assistant Living Apartments into her daughter's home where she received the best care possible and was treated like the queen she knew she was. While living with Cathy her caretakers that went above and beyond the call of duty were of course her baby girl, Cathy and son-in-law Cornelius. She was also cared for by grandchildren, Crystal and CleAndrae and her special girls as she referred to them, Loucreser "Pooh" Warrior, Angela Nave, Carressa Edwards, Shae McHenry and Kanisha Smith.

As time evolved the family reluctantly decided to place her in Pleasant Valley Nursing Facility. They were met at the door by one of her nieces, the late Nona "Bet" Sorrell, who made sure everyone took care of her auntie. From that day forward Ms. Robinson was everyone's "Aunt Bea".



The Celebratory Tribute of her life will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. in the Timothy Baptist Church. Pastor Kelly Payne is the gracious host Pastor, and Reverend Don Dumas, Pastor of Dean's Chapel Baptist Church will officiate.

Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson at 12 Noon.

You may visit "MeMaw" on Thursday, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home in Muskogee Visitation on Friday will be at Timothy Baptist Church from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM. The Casket will not be opened at the conclusion of the Eulogy.