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“Well done good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter into the joy of the Lord.” (Matthew 25:23)
On December 25, 1943, Robbie Jean Davis was born to the late Rev. Robert Locke, Sr. and the late Elizabeth Carpenter Young and Arthur Lee Young, Sr. She was the oldest daughter of eight. Robbie peacefully transitioned from her earthly journey to her heavenly home on September 23, 2021, while surrounded by her loving family.
Her Journey Begins
Robbie was affectionately called “Jean”, “Mama”, or “Grandma” by her family and friends. Her life was a well-written story that included many triumphs and trials. Robbie attended the public schools of Greenville County and was a proud scholar of Sterling High School. She was raised in the streets of “Greasy Corner”, which was given the name when a truck collided with a train. The cornerstone of “Greasy Corner” were four main churches: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Israel Chapel CME Church, and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Some of her best memories are skating from the top of Bernie Street to the bottom. They would also take old broken skates and wood pieces to make scooters. Trains would come through and they would collect coal that had fallen off the trains and take it home to heat the house. Robbie was such a pillar in the “Greasy Corner” community that she helped establish the reunion held yearly.
Robbie Jean was an activist in the early 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement and was placed in jail during a protest for injustice against African Americans. In the winter of 1961, she and others were arrested for attempting to use an all-white skating rink and swimming pool in Greenville's Cleveland Park. The sacrifices made during this time warranted much recognition and she was featured in a book called Greenville County, South Carolina (Black America Series).
Her Faith
At an early age, Robbie dedicated her life to Christ. Robbie joined Tabernacle Baptist Church when she was just 19 years old under the leadership of Rev. E.D. Dixon. She was the epitome of ministry. She had a servant’s heart and a desire to selflessly and sacrificially serve others. She faithfully served in the ministry for many years. During her time at Tabernacle Baptist Church, she ran the food bank which was set up to serve those in and around the community. She also sang in the Contemporary Gospel Choir. Her love for cooking landed her into the kitchen ministry, where she spent many of her days. If you have ever been to anything at Tabernacle, you have eaten and enjoyed some of her cooking.
Her Family
Robbie loved her family unconditionally. She was the epitome of strength and grace. She loved cooking for her family and everyone in between. Her love language was feeding people. Robbie cooked dinner for her family almost every Sunday until her health declined. If you went to her house, day or night, she would be sure to feed you and whomever else with you.. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them. Robbie enjoyed playing cards and even taught her grandchildren how to play her favorite game, Gin Rummy. There was not a family function when she was not going to get the joy out of beating her grandchildren. When one of them beat her (which wasn’t often) they would be sure to let everyone know.
Robbie was resourceful and generous. If anyone needed anything, she would find a way, a person, or agency to help. She worked for Senior Action for many years where she assisted countless people with maintaining basic life skills and housing. Robbie retired from Kemet Electronics in Fountain Inn, South Carolina.
Her Legacy
Robbie was preceded in death by her loving parents Elizabeth Carpenter and Arthur Lee Young, Sr.; biological father, Robert Locke, Sr.; husband, J.W. Davis; daughter, Cassandra Johnson; sister, Clover Brown; grandson, David Johnson; “brother” raised in the home, Jerry Lee Blandin; and son-in-law, Christopher McDonald.
Robbie's memories will always be cherished by her loving children, Alfred (Tamara) Johnson, David Johnson, Denise Johnson, and LaShun McDonald; adopted daughter/granddaughter, Clovetta Johnson; four sisters, Obbra Young, Jackie (Robert) Jimmerson, June Locke, Linda (Bill) Stroud; three brothers, Arthur Young, Jr., Clarence Young, Robert (Tonya) Locke, Jr.; 21 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all whom will miss her dearly.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms. Robbie Jean Davis, please visit our floral store.