Renelda Mattie Boswell Robinson

Mrs. Renelda Mattie (Boswell) Robinson, 75, a lifelong resident of North Frances Street, South Bend, IN; departed this life at 9:43 a.m. on Sunday, April 11, 1999, in her home.

Mrs. Robinson was born on Dec. 14, 1923, to the union of Etta Boswell Bowen and Garfield Boswell in South Bend, IN.

Renelda was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and four sisters.

At an early age, she confessed her love for God. She joined the First A. M. E. Zion Church where she worked faithfully until God called her home.

On Aug. 21, 1942, in South Bend, IN; she united in Holy Matrimony with Nathaniel P. Robinson, Sr., a loving husband, who survives.

Nathaniel and Renelda shared 56 beautiful years of love and happiness. To this union were eight children, all of whom survive: five daughters, Marguerite A. Taylor, Myra A. Carter, Marcia A. Robinson, and Maria A. (Bobby) Mitchell, all of South Bend, IN; Mary A. Mattai-Small (Ronnie) of Cleveland, OH; and three sons, Nathaniel R. Robinson, Jr., Marcus A. Robinson, both of South Bend, IN; and Marshall Allen Robinson of Austin, TX.

She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Lamar and Michael Taylor Calvin, Kevin and Anmce Rene Carter, Brandon and Nathaniel Robinson, III, Coretta, David and Steven Mattai, Eric M Robinson and Curtis Williams; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary E. Miller of Detroit, MI; and by many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Not only was Renelda active at home with her family but she always made time for work and community involvement. She was employed by Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center from 1943 to 1967 as a part-time aide on the OB-GYN floor. She was a social worker for the South Bend Housing Authority from 1970 to 1977, and the executive director of the Northeast Neighborhood Service Center from 1977 to 1996.

Her community involvement: She was one of the original players of The American Negro Girls Softball League, Real Services Sight Director, Northeast Neighborhood Center, South Bend Water Works board of commissioners, member of Neighborhood Housing Services, board of directors secretary of the Older Adult Council, member of the YWCA board of directors, and a member of Women in Touch.

She was a member of the Trustee Board of Directors, a member of the Missionary Supply Department, and a life member of Matron of the Woman Home and Overseas Missionary Society, all of the First A. M. E. Zion Church.

To know Renelda was to love Renelda. She will be greatly missed by all the many lives she has touched.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Renelda M. Robinson Center, First A. M. E. Zion Church, 801 N. Eddy Street, South Bend, IN 46617.
The South Bend Tribune South Bend, Indiana 15 Apr 1999

05/10/2022 EJS