Menona Ford Robinson

Middletown, RI - Menona Ford AndersonRobinson, passed away Wednesday, Augugst 23, 2006, at the John Clarke Nursing Centre with her family and friends constantly at her bedside. She resided for many years at 141 Third Street, Newport, RI. Born in Washington, DC on May 22, 1916, she was the oldest child of the late Nathaniel Jefferson Anderson and Cassie Grisby Anderson. At the age of three months, she came to Newport, RI with her parents where she resided at 75 Mary Street and until she graduated in 1935 from Rogers High School She was married to the late Frederick Douglas Nalle Jr. and the late John Wesley Robinson. During World War II, she worked at the Torpedo Station. Mrs. Robinson served many years as the musical director, pianist and organist of Shiloh Baptist Church leading the Shiloh Baptist Junior Choir and Gospel Choir in praise. She served as the Superintendent of Sunday School. In addition, she served on various church committees such as Anniversary celebration and Missionary events. As an Army wife stationed in Germany, she worked with disabled children at the Army chapel. She continued her service to the Lord in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where she participated and contributed her talents to enhance the lives of young children. Mrs. Robinson worked assiduously in the Fort Leonard Wood Chapel Program taking on the position of Junior Choir Director and Secretary and Treasurer of the Protestant Women of the Chapel. For her diligent work, she was awarded the Army Community Service Volunteer Award. Returning again to Newport, Rhode Island, she became a member of the Community Baptist Church and was actively involved in the Dunbar Club. Stewardship to her community continued as she was a member of The Recycled Teenagers at the Martin Luther King Center, a member of the C.P.O. Wives Club, and Church Women United. She gave uncompromised service to the Order of the Eastern Star, Queen Esther Chapter #2 and was bestowed the honorary degree of Past Worthy Matron, Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star No 2. She loved music, the arts and reading. She also enjoyed crocheting and cross stitching for her many friends and community organizations, gifting many shawls, pocketbooks, and comforters to aid in fund raisers. She was renowned for sending birthday cards to numerous friends and relatives. She is survived by her son Frederick Douglas Nalle III, of Newport, RI, her daughter Victoria Johnson of Portsmouth, RI and her daughter, Cynthia L. Robinson of Portsmouth, RI. She was know as Oma and dearly loved, by her grandchildren, Lt. Col. Darrel Wayne Johnson, Michael Barron Anderson and KaSandra Renee Anderson; her great grandchildren, Stacie Lee, Julian Marcelis Lee and Aleyha Menona Johnson. She is also survied by a cousin from Marshall, VA, Lillian May Dempsey, a niece, Sandra Geneva Shemo of Cleveland, OH and two nephews, Nathaniel Leslie Anderson Jr., and Jonathan Lawrence Anderson of Springfield, MA. She was predeceased by a brother, Nathaniel Leslie Anderson and a sister Geneva Grisby Shemo. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2006, at 11:00am, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2006, from 6-9pm in the funeral home.Donations, in her memory may be made to the Breakfast Program at the Martin Luther King Center Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd., Newport, RI 02840 or to Visiting Nurses, Newport Hospice Care, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871