Alma Jeanice Robinson's Obituary
Mrs. Alma Jeanice Robinson, age 93, of Roebuck, SC passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the home she shared with her daughter and full time caregiver in Roebuck, South Carolina. She was born in Lanett, Alabama on May 31, 1930 to the late Posey and Willie Bob Smallwood.
Jeanice is survived by her daughter Deborah L (Bill) Triance, her son Michael C. (Mary Rose) Robinson and her daughter Patricia A Green; Grandchildren, Joseph Wimberly, Jeremie (Fhebie) Green, Rachel (Jeff) Kinney, Stephanie (Greg) Tucker; Great Grandchildren, Bella Kinney, and Caden, Levi, Skyla, and Siana Tucker and Armando Green.
She was predeceased by her daughter Melanie K. Robinson, great granddaughter Sara Haven Tucker, her parents and brother, Charles (Bobby) Smallwood and sister Carolyn Smallwood Thomaston.
Jeanice was a devout believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and used her God-given talents and abilities to serve Him wherever she attended church. She attended Broadview Baptist Church in Temple Hills, MD, Calvary Baptist Church in Winchester, VA and finally West End Baptist Church in Woodruff, SC. She sang in the Choir, helped with youth group functions and shared her talent for cooking by hosting and directing church dinners, breakfasts and other events.
She drove a school bus for 26 1/2 years in Prince Georges County, MD where she retired in 1992. During that time her hands were never idle always supplementing her income by selling Avon, crocheting and sewing and crafting unique items to sell and give away.
She had a passion for camping and Southern Gospel Music and followed and fed the bands and vendors at the many festivals and shows she attended in West Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania by driving herself in whatever camper she owned at the time. She was highly independent, self-sufficient and happy to share her stories and advice.
During the Christmas season of 1973, she was hired to be Santa at the Iverson Mall in Maryland. After a few days of negotiating a fake beard and low voice; she decided it would be easier to dress as Mrs. Santa. She made the costume and told the children the big guy was too busy in his workshop. The kids seemed less apprehensive about approaching her as Mrs. Santa. The Associated Press was on hand when a child kissed her on the cheek. That picture and her story spread though out the country and she began getting newspaper clippings from friends all over the U.S.
For many years she spent winters in Florida at Desoto Park in Sebring. She was actively involved in park activities including cooking, teaching ballroom dancing and being the fun loving storytelling character that embodied her personality.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at West End Baptist Church in Woodruff, South Carolina on Wednesday April 10, 2024 at 11:00 AM. 1043 West Georgia Rd. Woodruff, SC 29388.
Burial and graveside service will be at Trinity Memorial Gardens 3221 Mattawoman-Beantown Road, Waldorf, MD 20601 on April 15, 2024 at 10:30 AM.
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