Rev. Curtis Lee Robinson Sr.

****NOTE: VALLEY FAMLY CHURCH IS HOSTING A SERVICE IN LOVING MEMORY FOR THE FAMILY OF REV. CURTIS LEE ROBINSON, SR. ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022. ****PLEASE SEE VISITATION AND SERVICE TIMES BELOW**** *****PLEASE NOTE: WHEN ENTERING THE CHURCH: MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE STILL REQUIRED. THE CHURCH WILL PROVIDE HAND SANITIZER WHEN ENTERING THE BUILDING. If you have any questions, please contact us at: (269) 342-1000 ________________________________________________________ ******IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: The family requests that memorial donations be made to: Emerging HOPE Ministries Outreach Program online at PayPal.me/emerginghopefsp, CashApp: $EmergeHOPE, or you may mail them to Emerging HOPE Ministries, 231 Durness Court, Unit D-Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006 ___________________________________________________________________________ Life Reflection Reverend Curtis Lee Robinson, Sr. On September 7, 2022, Reverend Curtis Lee Robinson, Sr. passed away peacefully at home in the comfort of his wife’s arms. He briefly endured, an aggressive form of stage four lung cancer. Reverend Curtis was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 14, 1959, to the union of the late Charlie and Christine (Randle) Robinson. Early in his childhood his family relocated to Chicago, Illinois where he spent his childhood. He was baptized at an early age and carried the Lord in his heart always. Reverend Curtis retired as a Warehouse Manager with J. Rettenmaier in Schoolcraft, MI, after faithfully working there for many years. He was truly enjoying his retirement. It was while working at a human service agency in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he met the love of his life Dr. Pamela, whom he referred to as “Sweetie.” Reverend Curtis knew upon first meeting her that she would be his wife. Therefore, he swiftly requested permission from her oldest brother (the Late Willie C. Haymon, Jr.) to initiate a courtship with her. Having been given her brother’s blessing to enter into a courtship relationship, Reverend Curtis then freely focused on winning her affections. The couple’s hearts were deeply knit together through their deepening friendship. On July 21, 2012, they were happily married at the Galilee Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Reverend Curtis passionately believed that God intended for them to enjoy both ministry and marriage. As a father he dearly loved and cherished his children. He would often talk about the memories he had with them as they planted a garden together in the spring. Laughter would spontaneously erupt as he recalled how the children would sneak and eat most of the fruits and vegetables prior to harvesting them. He would also reflect on how he looked forward to taking his children to church, teaching them about the Lord, taking them to the car wash that had an engaging-colorful light show going on as the car was being washed, and spending time with them eating delicious dinners at his in-law’s house. After answering the call to ministry, in 1979, he received his ministerial license under the auspice of the Illinois District Council of the Assemblies of God. He served as the Assistant to the Pastor at a renowned Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, worked as a Chaplain with the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Waukegan, Illinois, was a Substance Abuse Counselor/Program Director at Chicago Teen Challenge Ministry Institute, Associate Minister at Galilee Baptist Church, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Co-pastor of Emerging HOPE Ministries, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Reverend Curtis faithfully served in ministry for over thirty years. He was a man of God who was clearly endowed by the Holy Spirit with the gift to reach, teach and preach. Moreover, he was a lover of people and one who worked well with others. He preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ with conviction and clarity and demonstrated that he was a “doer of the Word” through his conversation and community volunteerism. His spirit was open to serve in whatever capacity the Lord saw fit to use him. Reverend Curtis had a plethora of educational and faith-based experience which included graduating from the Chicago Public Schools and graduating with honors from the Teen Challenge Ministry Institute in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In addition to his administrative, academic, and ministerial accomplishments, Reverend Curtis earned an Associate degree in Christian Education with a specialization in African American History in the Black Church. He was ordained an Elder then elevated to the office of Pastor during a Ministerial Ordination Ceremony under the auspice of Apostle, Dr. James A. Rorie, Founder and Overseer of Faith Deliverance Cathedral Ministries, Inc., Hollywood, Florida. As a Pastoral Counselor, Reverend Curtis stood at the forefront of the helping profession. He championed the cause to provide effective, life-changing services for his clients. He valued a sound Christian education, to the degree that later in his life, he enrolled in Seminary at Apex School of Theology (ASOT) in Durham, North Carolina to earn a degree in Christian education. Bear in mind, he attended classes full time, while gainfully employed in the marketplace and faithfully serving in ministry. Reverend Curtis graduated from Apex School of Theology, ASOT with an Associate degree in Christian Education, specializing in African American History and the Black Church. As he rigorously matriculated through the process, he was able to maintain a 3.95 GPA and graduate with double honors. Notably, he was recognized on the Presidential Honors List and on the Undergraduate Deans List. Moreover, during the commencement ceremony, having graduated with his wife, he was publicly honored by the Apex faculty with a beautiful plaque for assisting her throughout her three-year doctoral process at the Seminary. Reverend Curits was an active member of his community. He served as a support partner with Recovery Institute of Southwest Michigan Inc., was a Collaborator with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a Certified Recovery Coach, Peer Support Specialist and Pastoral Counselor. He had a stellar reputation for being able to effectively help people struggling with addiction and mental health challenges. Reverend Curtis had fond memories of serving with his wife as short-term missionaries in Cap-Haitian, Haiti with the American Baptist Churches, and Michigan Servants for Christ Missionary Team. He enjoyed spending time outdoors in nature, traveling with his wife, reading self-help books, watching nostalgic television shows, listening to African American gospel music from the 1970’s and 1980’s era, and listening to sermons on YouTube. His favorite scripture was Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Reverend Curtis leaves to honor and cherish his memory, his loving wife of 10 years Reverend Dr. Pamela Robinson and their blended family of six adult children; Tiffany Eubanks of Chicago, Illinois, Curtis Lee (Claudia) Robinson, Jr. of Orlando, Florida, Timothy (Taniqua) Robinson of Orlando, Florida, and Andrea, Jermaine, and Carmela Harris all of Kalamazoo, Michigan; four brothers Larry (Gloria) Robinson of Atlanta, Georgia, George Robinson of McLeansboro, Illinois, Tony (Betty) Robinson of Chicago, Illinois, Wesley Robinson of Menard, Illinois; three brother-n-laws, Gregory (Patti) Haymon of Sylmar, California; Gerald (Sherri-Lynn) Haymon of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Kenneth Lee Haymon of Grand Rapids, Michigan; one sister-n-law, Patricia Ann Smith of Portage, Michigan, and a host of precious grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; including his beloved Emerging HOPE Ministries family. He was preceded in death by his parents Charlie Robinson, Sr., and Christine (Randle) Robinson, four brothers; Robert Weeden, Charlie Robinson, Jr., Mavin Robinson, Ronnie Robinson and three sisters; Joanne Dockery, Juanita Hill, and Bobbie Jean Robinson. To my family and loved ones, don't be sad because I'm Free At Last, Free At Last, thank God Almighty I'm Free At Last, and Safe in the Arms of Jesus! If you have not already, get right with God so I'll see you in the Rapture!

Rev. Curtis Lee Robinson Sr.

May 14, 1959 - September 7, 2022