THOMAS WAYNE ROBINSON
AAFA #0262
1922–2007
GROESBECK JOURNAL
Groesbeck, Limestone Co., TX—Thursday, 19 April 2007
Funeral services for Dr. Thomas Wayne Robinson, 84, of Mexia [Limestone Co.] were held on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 in Blair-Stubbs Chapel, Mexia ... with burial following in the Mexia Cemetery.
Dr. Robinson was born in Cisco, Texas on June 5, 1922 to Ira Wallace and Willie Viola Strickland Robinson and passed away at the Parkview Regional Hospital in Mexia on April 5, 2007. He attended public schools and graduated high school in 1940.
Dr. Robinson was a WWII veteran who entered the U.S. Navy Air Corps in April 1942. After boot camp in San Diego, he went to radio school in Memphis, where he graduated with honors and the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer. In gunnery school, for an act that was termed “Over and Above”, he was awarded the Silver Star and a Presidential Citation. He served as radio operator and tail gunner in Navy SBD divebombers, and later in heavy bombers. He was discharged in 1945, having been awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Cross, and Good Conduct Medals.
Dr. Robinson entered the Christian ministry at the age of forty, and for twenty-five years served four Disciples congregations, two in Texas and two in Oklahoma. Until retirement he was minister to the First Christian Church in Mexia for eleven and one half years. He was also a faithful attendee at the Thursday morning prayer breakfasts for many years.
Dr. Robinson was educated at Texas Christian University, The American Bible College, and Southern Seminary. He holds the bachelor of theology, Master of Theology, Doctor of Theology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Dr. Robinson has been very involved in civic projects including volunteer fire fighting, ambulance attendant (he was a registered paramedic), Chairman of the City Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Directors of the Foster Grandparents program at the Mexia State School for the mentally retarded, past president of the local Genealogical Association, president of the board of directors of the Mexia Country Club, and all offices of the County Ministerial Alliance. He served as a member of the Regional Committee on Evangelism and the Area Board.
Survivors are his wife, Mellie Jean Barnett Robinson of Mexia; children: The Reverend Jody Jessup of Hanover, Maryland, Steve Robinson of Enid, Oklahoma, Terry Karosy of Parma, Ohio, and Mellie Valsamaki Risner of Mexia; grandchildren: Clint and Robby Sharp, John, Daniel and Erin Robinson, Kenny, Kelly and Kevin Karosy, Damion Valsamaki and Johnathan Risner; 4 great-grandchildren: Nick and Olivia Sharp and Zoey and Cayden; brother, Earl Robinson and wife, Lee of Copperas Cove....
AAFA NOTES: SSDI records confirm the birth and death dates of Thomas Wayne Robinson (SS# issued in TX), last residence Mexia, Limestone Co., TX.
His Alford lineage, from one of his mother’s great-great-grandmothers: Elizabeth Ann 1809 GA6, Brittain Washington 1781 NC7, Isham 1755 NC8.
LETTER – Routon-Bateman – 1863 – Smith County, Texas
From Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Alford Routon and her husband Matthew Routon
To their daughter Winnie Rogers Routon Bateman
In possession of Charles C. and Olene Bateman, Lindale, TX
Transcribed and submitted by David Allan Hardin - hrhdah@mailandnews.com
TRANSCRIBER NOTES: The letter appears to have been written by Betsy as “father and” is written above the word mother and “M. Routon” is squeezed in above her signature. The Routons were in Austin County in the 1860 Census. I cannot find a Bellona on the map, but the county seat of Austin County is Bellville. Winney lived in Smith County, Texas at this time and was married to William Daniel Bateman, Sr. The Bill referred to in the letter may be her husband. The letter was written on paper that had been used previously for a letter written from Quintana on 18 March 1856. It is a formal business letter that includes no name associated with this county.
Bellona Texas
Dec 20th 1863
My Dear daughter
I seat my self to answer your kind power that came to hand a few Sence it found us all well this leaves us in the same condition hoping it will find you and family well and doing well I have nothing of interest to write you more than we have gust to day rec’d a letter from John B. Routon [son of Matthew and Betsy Alford Routon] him and the other boys were well from the reading of your letter it seames as if you were pesterd about Pleasant you kneed not be uneasy about him for the news bill rote you is not so we cant see how bill got that Pleasant [William Pleasant, son of Matthew and Betsy Alford Routon] Spier [Spire W., son of Matthew and Betsy Alford Routon] and Tolly [Matthew Talbot, Matthew and Betsy Alford Routon] were out there when the men were shot there were three men rode up to this mans house and he came out and one of them shot him but never killed him and he is not ded yet. [the phrase “some of them” has been crossed out] it is beleaved that there is a club of them and sum of them I suppose have sed that Pleasant belong to that club because he bought a nag from one of the men that they have heard were stole Pleasant knew nothing of her being stole when he bought her and so fer as his being in the mountains is falce or ever bin there he bought this mar and started to his company and got that fer and his eyes got too bad he thought he would take Spier and Tolly and go and fetch his family out [illeg.] and while they were there this man were shot and a young man that belonged to that club or part of men that shot Wellborn sed that his brotheren law by the name of davis harberd and set the plan for those three men by the name of Horton Monk and Reid to get Wellborn out and kill him so they took up davis and hung him and so fer as Pleasant having or eaven nowing any thing about it is not so for he wer hear for a long time before this hapend and then came back with his family and the boys and is gone on to his company answer this and let us no wether there were any letter in yours (backed to C. H. Wellborn, Hopkinsville, Pa) and wether you mailed it or not Missouri and the children is hear and well we all want to see you and want to hear from you very bad we have a heap of trubles to stand and we are looking for them to call Spier an Tolly every day but I don’t think they will take them out of the state You can write to Bill the thruth to bill about this tale and dont show this letter we have never recd but 2 letters from Bill sence he has bin in cervice I am very sorry you are there by your self but I am in hopes you will [illeg.] well and that I may live to see you a gain but from my present feelings I am fearful I shall not fer it does looke like if trouble ever killed any person it will surely kill me but daughter let us try to live so as if we never meete on earth that we may meete in heaven where we will ever be together to enjoy all hapines and gay that is prepared for all those who acknowledg and follow our crucified but risen and exalted Lord and savior Jesus Christ from your affectionate father and mother untell death
M Routon
B. A. Routon