Obituaries

Thelma M. Robinson

Thelma M. Robinson SOUTH ACWORTH — Thelma May Robinson, daughter of Margarite (Gass) Smith and Robert Smith, was called to her Heavenly Home unexpectedly, on Jan. 27, 2022, from complications of COVID-19 . Thelma grew up in North Newport, New Hampshire. She met the love of her life and first husband, James Lee Robinson, in Croydon, New Hampshire, Grange Hall while square dancing. She had her six and only children with James Lee Robinson. She later remarried to George Earl Russell and together, they continued to raise her children in Springfield, Vermont, and then in South Acworth, New Hampshire. Thelma enjoyed being a homemaker, mother, friend and neighbor, and working as a housecleaner for various community members. She as a self-born artist, who taught herself the art of cake decorating, canvas painting, seamstress sewing and unique crafts. Thelma enjoyed decorating her home to welcome guests, and always looked forward to the holidays, especially Christmas, at which time she always made her specialty of chocolate fudge and was sure to share it with her neighbors, friends and family. Thelma loved her social life in the north. She often went dancing, had many family gatherings, enjoyed intellectual conversations, learning new things, embracing the different seasons, and visiting the ocean. Over time, Thelma turned her life over to Jesus and moved to North Carolina, where she met another James Robinson, and later married him. They remained married for the past 32 years, until her recent death. While living in the south, she made many new church friends as a faithful servant of Christ in her church. She found another talent in woodworking with her husband, making gifts for many. She and he enjoyed the flea markets, took frequent walks at a nearby school track, as well as drives to the Boone, North Carolina, mountains with family where she enjoyed visiting the shops. Thelma embraced the summer seasons by collecting butterflies, growing beautiful roses, yard flowers and plants, as well as vegetable gardening and canning. In her more recent years when she did not go much, she had begun taking photos of each of her flowers, especially her roses, and had even named some of her roses after her daughters. She took to writing a story reflecting a grandchild’s childhood. When she could not get out much and did not see much family, she took joy in frequent, lengthy phone and Facetime chats with various loved ones across the miles. Thelma was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each of whom she loved dearly, never showed favoritism whether near or far from her, and always looked forward to each of their and her own children’s visits. Thelma was preceded in death by her mother and father; younger sister, Priscilla LeBlanc; an older brother, Maurice Smith,; first and second husbands, James Lee Robinson and George Earl Russell; her oldest son, Michael Henry Robinson; a son-in-law, Carl Welch; and a great-granddaughter at birth, and an infant great-grandson, Connor Valerio. She is survived by her present husband of 32 years, James Robinson; her older sister, Hazel White; her dog, Ginger; five children, Meloney Harvey and her husband, Gary, Melinda Heath and her husband, Bill, Matina St. Sauveur and her husband, Michael, Mitchell Robinson and his wife, Debra, Marcus Robinson and his wife, Linda; 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held in Granite Falls, North Carolina, shortly after her death for those who were able to attend. A memorial service celebrating her treasured earthly life and faith in Christ, will be observed this summer with her many loved ones in New England.

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