Theodore L. Robinson

Theodore “Yaya” Lee Robinson was born March 4, 1951 in St. Rest, Louisiana to the union of John LeRoy Robinson and Gracie Robinson. He gave his life to Christ at an early age and united with St. Rest Baptist Church. Gracie later married Edward Hamlin who cherished Theodore like a son. The family eventually moved to Arkadelphia where he attended the historic Peake High School. He moved back to Louisiana and graduated from Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Theodore moved back to Arkansas to be closer to his mother and enrolled at Hope Technical College in Hope, Arkansas where he earned a degree in auto mechanics. His eagerness to learn and determination to complete his studies would become the foundation of his work ethic. Most of his life was centered around working on cars. “Yaya” as he was known by family and friends possessed a strong work ethic and modeled the scripture 2 Thessalonians 3:10 "If anyone doesn't want to work, he shouldn't eat." By all accounts he was a “jack of all trades”, but his passion was auto mechanics. He also worked in logging and acquired this skill from his grandfather, Mack Hayes, Sr. He used his skilled hands to repair, fix and replace parts on several cars. When not working at the shop, he was the “go-to” man for after hour repairs. He could be found any day spending countless hours under someone’s hood. Yaya proudly proclaimed that he was too good to be a labeled as a “shade tree” mechanic. His reputation for proficient and timely work was widely known throughout Arkadelphia and the surrounding area. Yaya was his mother’s personal alarm clock; every morning he would “tap” on her window to check on her and often times asking “what had she cooked”. If she ever needed anything done, he would “just do it”. He was a person who didn’t mind helping anybody. Theodore was united in holy matrimony to Frances Jones and to this union two children were born. He later had another child. He will live on in the hearts of his loved ones and friends. He possessed a friendly spirit and never met a stranger. He meant what he said, and said what he meant. His natural wit and humor could never be duplicated. He was preceded in transition by his father, John L. Robinson, and his step-father, Edward Hamlin. On Friday, June 24, 2016; in his 65th season of life he began his eternal celebration in a land that shall never grow old. He leaves to cherish his memory: three children, Stebbin Davis, Gulf Port, MS; Treva Robinson, Arkadelphia, AR; and Evonne West, New Orleans, LA; his grandchildren, Brittany Robinson, Tyler Robinson, Lishah Burge, LaQueena Davis, Ishmael Davis, Shakia Davis, Muleseya West, LaMya West, Devon West and Marquis West; his great-grandchildren, Na’shiya Lacey, Rylee Bailey and Zayne Cleary; his mother, Gracie Hamlin of Arkadelphia, AR; his siblings, Thomas Hayes, Quitman, LA; John Robinson, (Patricia) Denver, CO; Rita Sutton (Sampson) Bastrop, LA; Edward Chafford, Arkadelphia, AR; Elvis Chafford (Wanda), Bastrop, LA; Lester Hamlin (Brenda), Monroe, LA; Kenny Hamlin (Lottie), Arkadelphia, AR; and Diedra Middleton (Charles), Arkadelphia, AR. He also leaves his aunts and uncles, Gloria Bucking (Eugene), Denver, CO; George Hayes (Jean), Jonesboro, LA; Mack Hayes (Nellie) Denver, CO; Clara Leonard (Ezekiel), Quitman, LA; Minnie Ankton, Arkadelphia, AR, and Queen Ramos, Denver, CO; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Public visitation will be Friday, July 1, 2016 from 12 noon until 7:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. A service of remembrance will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at St. Paul A.M.E. Church with Rev. T. W. Scott, officiating. Interment will be in St. Rest Baptist Church in Quitman, Louisiana.