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Presiding Prelate Bishop Joe L. Robinson Obituary

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Presiding Prelate Bishop Joe L. Robinson

Hartsville, SC

July 21, 1948 - January 21, 2021

Presiding Prelate Bishop Joe L. Robinson Obituary

Please Note: The Young & Young Funeral Home will enforce all necessary precautions and measures to ensure the safety and protections of our family, clients and staff. Be advised that all COVID 19 regulations and rules of protection according to the CDC apply. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Presiding Prelate Bishop Joe Lewis Robinson. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family during their time of bereavement. ** Services will be LIVE Streaming on Young & Young Funeral Home Facebook page to view services. Also you may tune into Radio Station 98.3 FM to listen to the services. ** In God's sacred word, we are told that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Thus we have been blessed beyond measures to have been in the presence of such a loyal servant of God and shepherd of a strong faithful flock of many spiritual sons and daughters. Weep we shall in this fleshly body, but the peace and sincere solace of knowing that a true soldier of God's army is gone to glory is the very purpose to rejoice. A true man of selfless devotion, immeasurable faith and true dedication to spreading the word of our heavenly Father, he was indeed. His endless words and the very life he lived-of true holiness is truly something we all can respect and honor.  On July 21, 1948 in Hartsville, South Carolina, the late Elijah and Louisa Gerthea Bacote Robinson, Sr. welcomed a healthy male child named by the famous and undefeated boxer, Joe Lewis Robinson. Even at the time of his birth his name would certainly be an example of his strength as a man and more importantly as a believer. He received his education in the Darlington County public school systems and was a Butler High School graduate with the Class of 1966. Upon graduation he continued his studies at High Point Bible College, High Point, NC with degrees in B.B (Basic Bible), Th.G. (Bachelor of Theology Degree) and B.R. (Bachelor of Religion). Bishop dedicated his life to serving the people all over the USA and abroad ministering to their needs in the church and secular world. He met the love of his life, the late Elder Flora Covington Robinson in high school. The two married in 1967 and to this sacred union, four children were born, Yvette, Yvonne, Victor and Vincent.  During early 1966, Bishop Joe Lewis Robinson began working at Sonoco Products in Hartsville, South Carolina. He worked there for several years until dedicating his life to the ministry full time.  Bishop Robinson received his spiritual foundation at his family home church of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Years later he began attending Apostolic Pentecostal Assembly Church under the leadership of Bishop Leroy Robinson. In 1977, Bishop Joe L. Robinson became pastor of APAC and years following, he officially became “Bishop of the APAC Churches Inc. including seven churches under his leadership.  He served on different boards in the community such as: The Ryan White Community Advisory Board, (CAB) Carolina Pines Volunteer Chaplin Committee, The AHEAD (Association of Hartsville Entrepreneurs for Advancement and Development) and many others. Bishop Robinson was a Pastor who lead, nurtured and protected his sheep. He too, was a great mentor to many ministers and spiritual brethren of a sacred colony of clergy as well.  During his time of relaxation and enjoyment, Bishop had a giant love for golf. Playing golf, watching golf and partaking of his impeccable skill playing the game itself. He made many challenges to meet those interested on the green and never avoided any discussion about Tiger and any of the golf athletes during golfing season and especially The Masters Championship. Baseball, football and basketball all were inclusive in his love for sports. Bishop Robinson made it known that he was a true fan of The Dodgers, The Lakers and The Washington Redskins. He was known to integrate the sports concepts within many of his sermons to paint the vivid picture of the lessons he taught with the biblical references of truth.  Bishop was a member of the Hartsville Ministerial Alliance, Hospital Chaplin and also Bishop Robinson was not only a pastor, leader, teacher and mentor to many. He was also a spiritual father and father figure to an extended list of spiritual sons and daughters. His words of wisdom, stern belief in morals and sanctity will forever be the many lessons he taught verbally as well as through the life that he lived. Those that knew him dearly and shared special bonds, can attest to his sense of humor and his loving nature and never-ending willingness to not only be a port in the storm for so many, but be the gentle giant of a reminder, of what faith and trust in God was and how to activate the power of the Holy Ghost.  On the early evening of Thursday, January 21, 2021 the image of Bishop Robinson entering into the sacred majesty of Heaven, “picking his soles up, and putting them down”, is a true testament of his life and the melodious songs of Zion being played on the sacred strings of harps welcoming a true soldier who has a structure of wings synonymous of his faith - "Well done, they good and faithful servant, welcome home!”  Bishop Robinson was preceded in death by his parents, Elijah and Louisa Robinson, Sr.; His wife, Elder Flora C. Robinson; Siblings, Willie Mae Allen, Pastor Loretta Kemp and Pastor Doris A. Rivers, sister-in-law, Annette Covington.  Surviving to carry his legacy are his children, Yvette (Fredrick) Cornelius of Columbia, SC, Dedra Yvonne (Kenric) Robinson-Gurley of Florence, SC, Victor (Deja) Robinson of Hartsville, SC, Vincent Robinson of New York, NY and Ashton Lowery of Florence, SC; 19 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; God-children, Toney McDonald, Kathy Dawson, Kenny Dawson, Monique & Dominic Benjamin; Siblings, Ella Dargan of Meriden, CT, Mary L. Jackson of Brooklyn, NY, Barbara (James) Copeland, Patricia (Deacon James) Jackson and Annie B. Lester, Elijah (Patricia) Robinson, Jr. all of Hartsville, SC; Three sister-in-law's, Bishop Vera Mae Davis and Mary Davis both of Hartsville, SC, and Helen Marshall of Manhattan, New York; A large host of nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritual children, friends and the entire APAC Church Family.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Presiding Prelate Bishop Joe L. Robinson hosted by Young and Young FH New.

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