Obituary for Donald Lee Robinson
To everything there is a season,
And a time to every purpose under the Heaven;
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant,
And a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance
Donald Lee Robinson of 1033 Norwich Avenue, Virginia Beach, Virginia departed this life peacefully on Thursday, May 2, 2019 after a long illness. Donald was born in Norfolk, Virginia on March 5, 1927 and was the youngest of two sons born of the late Paul A. Robinson, Sr. and Mary Rawls Robinson.
Donald received his early education in the Norfolk Public Schools System. He attended College at Virginia State College (now University) in Petersburg, Virginia where he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts Education. At Virginia State College, he enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) and served as Battalion Commander where upon graduation he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, Quartermaster Corps, USAR.
While at Virginia State College, Donald met and married Jacquetta E. Patterson of Appomattox, Virginia in 1950. Donald and his loving and devoted wife Jacquetta (Jackie as she was Known) were inseparable until her passing in 2014.
Donald served for five years in the military in combat duty in Korea and Japan immediately after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan. He was severely injured in a non-combat detail and was hospitalized for over a year during WWII. After a full recovery from his injuries he was honorably discharged from the Army of the United States.
He received his Masters Degree in Public School Administration and advanced into various other positions with the School Board Administration including the Assistant Director of Special Education Services, Social Worker/Visiting Teachers/School Psychologists Counselors.
Donald had a long and storied career with the Norfolk Public Schools System and during the course of his employment with the school system he served in many capacities; including his first position at the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School as a Shop Teacher in the Carpentry and Wood Shop. He continually progressed to other positions at various other facility locations including Industrial Arts and Drafting Teacher, several Assistant Principal and Principal-ships at various schools and facilities throughout the school district.
Donald was an avid church goer and was baptized at an early age and became a member of the First Baptist Church, Bute Street, Norfolk, Virginia. As his life progressed he shared memberships and fellowships at Covenant and Messiah Presbyterian Churches. He served in various Church offices and organizations and Church Choirs.
Donald had a great appreciation for spiritual and religious music and orchestrations and was considered by many who knew him to be a moving and inspirational singer and soloist with a beautiful voice. He loved so much to sing with the friends and fellow choir members whenever and wherever they sang. Donald’s voice was his instrument and he read and interpreted written music as music instrumentalists do.
Donald was often like magic in many of the people’s lives he touched…and now that magic is gone, but not forgotten. Donald was truly loved and respected and will be sorely missed by many who came to know him, but especially by those Family he leaves behind.
Donald is survived by his three sons, Larry K., Tracy L. and Tony A. Robinson; grandchildren Levar L. Robinson, Bria L. Robinson, Ryan B. Robinson, Nicolas B. Robinson, Tatyanna J. Robinson and Melena J. Robinson; four great-grandchildren, Cierra Mosby, Kalynn R. Robinson, Anayh G. Robinson, Kylie C. Robinson and a host of other nieces and nephews.
And a time to every purpose under the Heaven;
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant,
And a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance
Donald Lee Robinson of 1033 Norwich Avenue, Virginia Beach, Virginia departed this life peacefully on Thursday, May 2, 2019 after a long illness. Donald was born in Norfolk, Virginia on March 5, 1927 and was the youngest of two sons born of the late Paul A. Robinson, Sr. and Mary Rawls Robinson.
Donald received his early education in the Norfolk Public Schools System. He attended College at Virginia State College (now University) in Petersburg, Virginia where he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts Education. At Virginia State College, he enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) and served as Battalion Commander where upon graduation he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, Quartermaster Corps, USAR.
While at Virginia State College, Donald met and married Jacquetta E. Patterson of Appomattox, Virginia in 1950. Donald and his loving and devoted wife Jacquetta (Jackie as she was Known) were inseparable until her passing in 2014.
Donald served for five years in the military in combat duty in Korea and Japan immediately after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan. He was severely injured in a non-combat detail and was hospitalized for over a year during WWII. After a full recovery from his injuries he was honorably discharged from the Army of the United States.
He received his Masters Degree in Public School Administration and advanced into various other positions with the School Board Administration including the Assistant Director of Special Education Services, Social Worker/Visiting Teachers/School Psychologists Counselors.
Donald had a long and storied career with the Norfolk Public Schools System and during the course of his employment with the school system he served in many capacities; including his first position at the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School as a Shop Teacher in the Carpentry and Wood Shop. He continually progressed to other positions at various other facility locations including Industrial Arts and Drafting Teacher, several Assistant Principal and Principal-ships at various schools and facilities throughout the school district.
Donald was an avid church goer and was baptized at an early age and became a member of the First Baptist Church, Bute Street, Norfolk, Virginia. As his life progressed he shared memberships and fellowships at Covenant and Messiah Presbyterian Churches. He served in various Church offices and organizations and Church Choirs.
Donald had a great appreciation for spiritual and religious music and orchestrations and was considered by many who knew him to be a moving and inspirational singer and soloist with a beautiful voice. He loved so much to sing with the friends and fellow choir members whenever and wherever they sang. Donald’s voice was his instrument and he read and interpreted written music as music instrumentalists do.
Donald was often like magic in many of the people’s lives he touched…and now that magic is gone, but not forgotten. Donald was truly loved and respected and will be sorely missed by many who came to know him, but especially by those Family he leaves behind.
Donald is survived by his three sons, Larry K., Tracy L. and Tony A. Robinson; grandchildren Levar L. Robinson, Bria L. Robinson, Ryan B. Robinson, Nicolas B. Robinson, Tatyanna J. Robinson and Melena J. Robinson; four great-grandchildren, Cierra Mosby, Kalynn R. Robinson, Anayh G. Robinson, Kylie C. Robinson and a host of other nieces and nephews.