Obituary for Thelma Juanita Robinson Watts (Rodgers)
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Meeting ID: 878 2498 6953
Passcode: Watts
" ... 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" ~John 11:25–26 (NKJV)
As a family, we do. After a lengthy illness, at 1:10 pm on Friday, February 25, 2024, Thelma Juanita Robinson Watts (née Rodgers) gained her wings, and her soul took flight to be with the Lord. She went peacefully in her sleep with no pain or distress. She went on her own terms and in the manner she requested of the Lord. For this, we are eternally grateful.
Thelma was born on February 20, 1935, to the late David C. and Doreatha Arrington Rodgers in Nashville, NC. She was educated in the Nash County Public Schools. In 1951, at the age of 16, she relocated to Washington, DC. Juanita, as most family called her, completed her education in the Washington, DC Public Schools, graduating from Cardozo Senior High School.
It was in DC that Juanita met her future husband, Sherman E. Robinson, Jr. They were married November 20, 1954 and were blessed with 3 children: Michael Edward, Vera Denise who preceded them in death April 27, 1959, and Donna Jean. Even though the marriage ended in divorce, Juanita still looked out for Sherman during his illnesses until he went to be with the Lord on January 31, 1990.
Juanita later met and married Benjamin H. Watts, Jr. on December 1, 1984, gaining 4 stepchildren: Carla, Romell, Rhonda, and April. Although separated, when Bennie became ill, Juanita again stepped in and cared for him until he passed away in August 2005.
This is a testament to the caring heart that Juanita had for people, no matter what. There were countless stories and accolades from patients and their families during her many years as a Patient Care Aide at Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly, MD, and Doctor’s Hospital in Lanham, MD. She loved nursing, and loved her patients and coworkers like they were family. Even after she retired, Juanita was known to check on, run errands for, or take care of various neighbors and friends.
Juanita’s faith was a huge part of why she was the woman she was. She loved God with all her heart and soul. She was a major prayer warrior, and because of the relationship she had with the Father, her prayers got through! She accepted Christ when she was 12 years old at the St. John Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC. When she came to Washington, DC, she joined Vermont Avenue Baptist Church. In the early 70's, Thelma joined her daughter, Donna, at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Landover, MD. During the tenure of the late pastor, Rev. John W. Johnson, she was active in the Nurses Unit and the Pastor’s Aide Committee. Under the leadership of Pastor John K. Jenkins, Thelma served in the Good Samaritan ministry, and Sisters in Discipleship (SID). She had a servant’s heart and served faithfully until declining health prevented her from physically being there. But her love for the Lord and her church never, ever wavered.
In addition to her parents, husbands, and daughter, Juanita was also preceded in death by her sister, Betty Loretta Beale, her brother, Army PFC Mance Kenneth Hargraves, and her stepsister, Lorraine Armstrong Williams.
Thelma will be loved and remembered by her devoted children, Michael E. Robinson, Sr. (Carolyn) and Pastor Donna J. Robinson West; her grandsons, David V. West and Michael E. Robinson, Jr.; her sister, Jacqueline Y. Hargraves; her nephews, Anthony Richards (Kristin) and Ronald Andre Hargraves; her great-niece and nephews, Ashley, Ashton and Austin Richards; her godson, Damean Duppins; friends Wilma Bell and Esther Powell; and a host of cousins, extended family and loved ones.
The family humbly asks that in lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the hospice facility that treated her like family and the queen that she was. This is our way of giving back. Gifts can be made in memory of Thelma J. Watts to The Rebecca Fortney Inpatient Care Center, c/o Hospice of the Chesapeake, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122. You may also go to their donation page at www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/
OR
enter this ID and passcode into your zoom application:
Meeting ID: 878 2498 6953
Passcode: Watts
" ... 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" ~John 11:25–26 (NKJV)
As a family, we do. After a lengthy illness, at 1:10 pm on Friday, February 25, 2024, Thelma Juanita Robinson Watts (née Rodgers) gained her wings, and her soul took flight to be with the Lord. She went peacefully in her sleep with no pain or distress. She went on her own terms and in the manner she requested of the Lord. For this, we are eternally grateful.
Thelma was born on February 20, 1935, to the late David C. and Doreatha Arrington Rodgers in Nashville, NC. She was educated in the Nash County Public Schools. In 1951, at the age of 16, she relocated to Washington, DC. Juanita, as most family called her, completed her education in the Washington, DC Public Schools, graduating from Cardozo Senior High School.
It was in DC that Juanita met her future husband, Sherman E. Robinson, Jr. They were married November 20, 1954 and were blessed with 3 children: Michael Edward, Vera Denise who preceded them in death April 27, 1959, and Donna Jean. Even though the marriage ended in divorce, Juanita still looked out for Sherman during his illnesses until he went to be with the Lord on January 31, 1990.
Juanita later met and married Benjamin H. Watts, Jr. on December 1, 1984, gaining 4 stepchildren: Carla, Romell, Rhonda, and April. Although separated, when Bennie became ill, Juanita again stepped in and cared for him until he passed away in August 2005.
This is a testament to the caring heart that Juanita had for people, no matter what. There were countless stories and accolades from patients and their families during her many years as a Patient Care Aide at Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly, MD, and Doctor’s Hospital in Lanham, MD. She loved nursing, and loved her patients and coworkers like they were family. Even after she retired, Juanita was known to check on, run errands for, or take care of various neighbors and friends.
Juanita’s faith was a huge part of why she was the woman she was. She loved God with all her heart and soul. She was a major prayer warrior, and because of the relationship she had with the Father, her prayers got through! She accepted Christ when she was 12 years old at the St. John Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC. When she came to Washington, DC, she joined Vermont Avenue Baptist Church. In the early 70's, Thelma joined her daughter, Donna, at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Landover, MD. During the tenure of the late pastor, Rev. John W. Johnson, she was active in the Nurses Unit and the Pastor’s Aide Committee. Under the leadership of Pastor John K. Jenkins, Thelma served in the Good Samaritan ministry, and Sisters in Discipleship (SID). She had a servant’s heart and served faithfully until declining health prevented her from physically being there. But her love for the Lord and her church never, ever wavered.
In addition to her parents, husbands, and daughter, Juanita was also preceded in death by her sister, Betty Loretta Beale, her brother, Army PFC Mance Kenneth Hargraves, and her stepsister, Lorraine Armstrong Williams.
Thelma will be loved and remembered by her devoted children, Michael E. Robinson, Sr. (Carolyn) and Pastor Donna J. Robinson West; her grandsons, David V. West and Michael E. Robinson, Jr.; her sister, Jacqueline Y. Hargraves; her nephews, Anthony Richards (Kristin) and Ronald Andre Hargraves; her great-niece and nephews, Ashley, Ashton and Austin Richards; her godson, Damean Duppins; friends Wilma Bell and Esther Powell; and a host of cousins, extended family and loved ones.
The family humbly asks that in lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the hospice facility that treated her like family and the queen that she was. This is our way of giving back. Gifts can be made in memory of Thelma J. Watts to The Rebecca Fortney Inpatient Care Center, c/o Hospice of the Chesapeake, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122. You may also go to their donation page at www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/