Pastor Joyce Davis-Robinson

Heavenly Father, I stand now in your presence with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for the journey of my life, which began on Thursday, October 4, 1951, in Marks, Mississippi. You blessed me to be the eldest of nine children, born to my dear mother Pearl Lee Sutton and father Sylvester Sutton Sr. From my earliest days, you guided me and kept me. I learned to love and care for others as a protective big sister in a large family, and for that I am grateful. Now, as I have finished my course on this earth, I rejoice that I am reunited in glory with those who went before me. I see again my mother Pearl Lee Sutton and father Sylvester Sutton Sr., with dear Percy Mamon Sr. by their side, and I embrace my beloved siblings who have already entered heaven: LaTonya Sutton-Thompson, Hubert Sutton, Sylvia Sutton, Sylvester Sutton Jr., and Arnita Sutton. I am at peace, Lord, knowing that I am also with my precious sons-in-love, Emir Stokes and Jerry Winston, and my brothers-in-love, Julius Shelby, Wille (Booker T) Robinson and Joseph Baukert, who all greeted me at heaven’s gates. How comforting it is to know that we are together in your light, where “You will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there is no more death or sorrow” (Revelation 21:4). Precious in your sight is the homecoming of your saints (Psalm 116:15), and I thank you for welcoming me home. Lord, as I reflect on the path you laid out for me, I am grateful for every opportunity to learn and grow. You walked with me through the halls of Chicago’s public schools and Austin High School, and through each program and college where I gained skills: Fifth City Business Careers, The Bryman School, Amundsen Mayfair Junior College, Alexander School of Cosmetology, even coursework at Northwestern University and the Illinois Institute of Nail Technology. By your grace I earned my Nurse’s Aide certification through the Red Cross. Each step of my education was part of your preparation – sharpening my mind and equipping my hands to serve. “The steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord,” and I know you lovingly ordered mine (Psalm 37:23). T hank you also for guiding my spiritual education. You deepened my understanding of your Word through ministries like Living Word Christian Center, Chicago Bible Institute, the National Baptist Congress, and the O.A.J. School of Ministry. Each lesson in Scripture was a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105), drawing me closer to your will. Father, you called me as your own at a tender age, and I’m so grateful I accepted Christ as my Savior early in life. As a little girl at Sunrise Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, IL., I found joy in singing your praises. Later, when my family moved further west and we united with Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, IL., under the late Pastor Amos and Lady Wynester Waller, I continued to lift my voice in the choir with a heart full of worship. You were laying the foundation for a lifetime of service to you. It’s hard to write when you’re still in disbelief. Weekly check ins and prayer, My calls to come outside and give me a hug; my top cheerleader, encourager and supporter, I will most definitely miss. Auntie, your China Doll is heartbroken. I will not forget what you have instilled in me and you’re forever in my heart! Pastor Kameithia Smith Lord, you eventually led me to New St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, IL., where under the late Rev. Gilbert Treadwell’s leadership I discovered my greater purpose in ministry. Thank you for every role I was able to fulfill by your strength: President of the Gospel Choir, Youth Choir Supervisor, Building Fund secretary, Sunday School teacher, Nurses and Ushers president, and a member of the Missionary Society. In each of these capacities, I tried to serve faithfully and joyfully. I remember that “whoever wants to be great must be a servant” (Matthew 20:26), and I endeavored to live that out with humility and love for your people. In my later years, you blessed me to labor in the vineyard alongside family. Under the leadership of my nephew, Episcopal Vicar Daniel Smith, I served joyfully as the Dean of Education and as a chief intercessor in prayer. I coordinated weddings, baptisms, and baby dedications – celebrating new beginnings in others’ lives – and even used my love of cooking to head the culinary department to feed both body and soul. Oh, what a day of rejoicing it was on Sunday, May 28, 2023, when I was ordained as a Staff Pastor in your Church! Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to live to see that day and for fulfilling that calling in me. I wore the mantle of pastor with awe and gratitude, always mindful that it was “not by might nor by power, but by your Spirit” that I could serve at all (Zechariah 4:6).

Father, I also thank you for the work of my hands beyond the church walls. From the factory floor at Zenith Electronics Corporation to my years at Lyphomed, Inc., you were with me. You provided for our family through my roles at Chicago United and allowed me to express creativity through Hair Performers. In the halls of Cook County Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital, you taught me compassion for the sick and hurting. And in the classrooms and lunchroom of MECA Elementary School, where I served as support staff and School Nutrition Director, you gave me the joy of nurturing young minds and feeding both body and spirit. In every workplace, I tried to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–14) – to work diligently and kindly so others might see a reflection of you in me. Thank you for every colleague I met and every challenge and triumph I experienced in my career, for all of it was part of your plan to use me. Gracious God, I cherish the joyful moments and hobbies you placed in my life. Thank You for the simple delight of teaching my grandsons how to cook – stirring not just pots, but also their confidence and independence. T hank you for the gift of doing hair and designing floral arrangements, little acts of creativity that reflected your beauty. I loved the adventures of seeing new sights and those long drives to any destination – feeling free on the open road, marveling at the wonders of your creation. Every creative endeavor, every “Creativity of Joy” project, every field trip I took with the seniors from church brought laughter and light into my life. These were your blessings to me, Lord, and I savored them all. And, Lord, before you called me home, you gave me one last prayer on this side. On Sunday, August 3rd, before the surgeon’s hands would touch me, I lifted my voice to Heaven and prayed openly for the healing of my mind, my body, and my soul. The doctors spoke the word CRITICAL – but I, your servant, declared the word CURED. And after I prayed for myself, I turned my heart toward those gathered at my bedside and said, “Lord, touch them, because they are going to need you. Do it for them.” T hen, on Thursday August 8th, 2025, at Endeavor Health Hospital, surrounded by the warmth of my family, my healing was made complete. The sickness could not follow me, the pain could not hold me – for in that moment, my spirit slipped into your everlasting arms. And I heard your word come alive in me: “Absent from the body… present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). My Lord, now I lift up to you all those I love and leave in your care – the ones who will carry my memory in their hearts. I pray especially for my husband, Fred Robinson Sr. – the partner of my days. Comfort his heart as only you can; be his strength and companion in the quiet moments. I present to you my children: Shurray Winston, Demeteria Stokes, and Sedrick Robinson (and my dear daughter-in-love, Shantell). Lord, cover them with your feathers, and shelter them under your wings (Psalm 91:4). May they carry forward the legacy of faith, hope, and love you allowed me to instill in them. Let them know I am so very proud of the men and women they have become. When they feel sorrow or uncertainty, let them hear in their hearts the echo of every encouraging word and prayer I ever poured over them. Guide them in all their ways, Father, and keep them united in love. Grandma JD, Our weekly coffee runs on the way to school, a few tardies here and there but who was counting; thoughts of you teaching me how to pray and anointing me with oil and even you have me to do it myself will always be with me. I’m heartbroken but those we love can never be more than a thought away; so that means you’ll always be close, live on in my heart, and with me forever because I’ll think of you always. Your fairy princess, Emmy W My Special Angel Joyce, I will miss our daily calls and our adventurous outings. Know that I will think of you often, and will always hold you in my heart. Love Your Mother in Love, Mother Addie Joyce Robinson I am also thankful, Father, for the bonus children you placed in my life – those who became as my own: Arnita (Alonzo) Woods, Fred Robinson Jr., Tony Hargrow, Brandon Waters, Johanna Roberson, I ask you to bless each of them abundantly. W Dear Sister, As I say farewell, I find comfort in knowing that you are now at peace, resting safely in God’s arms. Though I feel the ache of your absence, your love remains with me – woven into my memory, my heart, and the very fabric of who I am. Joyce, you ran your race with grace and courage. Now you have received your crown of glory. I will miss you dearly, but we rejoice in the promise that I will see you again. Rest well, my dear sister. Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, and your love will live on forever. See you in the morning. Love, Laura J. W My Auntie was more than family – she was my praying angel, my greatest encourager, and my strongest supporter. She covered me in prayer when I couldn’t find the words for myself and believed in me when I doubted my own strength. Her voice, her faith, and her love shaped the man and leader I am today. Though I will miss her presence, I carry her prayers in my spirit forever. Lord, bless my grandchildren – my seven grandsons and eight granddaughters, each one by name: Michael Reed, Demarius Davis, Keshon Robinson, Amari Robinson, Dawon Gardner, Deon McGee, and Zion Swanigan; Jermia Winston, Je’Ria Winston, Donyonna Stokes, Mildrena Stokes, Rayne Stokes, Xyiona Robinson, Xymaria Robinson, and Zyire Hardwrick. They brightened my world and kept me young at heart. I pray that each one remembers how much joy they gave me and how I prayed for them without ceasing. May they grow in wisdom and grace, walking uprightly before You. Let them always remember that the Lord is their shepherd (Psalm 23:1) just as He was mine. May Your favor surround them like a shield all the days of their lives.

I also lift up my precious great-grandchildren – my five little “YaiYai’s babies”: Jya Winston, Milani Campbell, Braelyn Robinson, Kendall Williams, and Kaliyah Robinson. What a blessing it was to see the start of a new generation! Though they are very young, I pray that as they grow, they come to know that their great grandmother loved them deeply and prayed over them. Lord, let them grow up healthy, happy, and full of faith. Let my love be a gentle, unseen presence in their lives. Write my memory on their hearts so that even the ones who are too young to remember me will hear stories and know they had a praying YaiYai who cherished them. Dear God, remember my dear siblings who remain: Carolyn Sutton-Baukert, Vernita (Michael) Cross, Chandra (St. Clair), Maureen Thompson and, Mary Davis, Lisa (Ronnye) Hoskins and Jessie (Johnnie) Rudd. I was so blessed to be the eldest sister to such a beautiful group of sisters and brothers. Bind them together in love and dry their tears when they miss me. Remind them of all the laughter and memories we shared. Let any hurts be healed and let unity and peace prevail among them always. To my siblings-in-love – those who became my brothers and sisters through marriage and lifelong friendship - Leonard Thompson, Joseph Shelby (Robin), Laura Smith (Daniel), Russell Shelby, Syleeda Robinson, Dorris West, Daphine Robinson, Rose Robinson, Alfreda Cooley, Lucious Jones, Clarice Jones - Newson, Joyce Jones, and Debra Jones – I thank you for each of them, Lord. They each held a special place in my heart. Please comfort them in this moment of loss. Surround them with your presence and give them the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). W T hank you, Lord, for my dear Aunt Mamie Lee Sutton, the family matriarch who has loved and supported me all my life. Bless her and give her extra comfort; let her heart be light knowing I rejoice in your arms. I also pray for my mother-in-love, Mother Addie J. Robinson, who embraced me as her own daughter. Grant her strength and solace in the coming days. Let her feel your love and mine and reassure her that we will meet again in glory. And Lord, I cannot forget my lifelong friend, Patricia Gray. What a gift her friendship has been – truly a friend that sticks closer than a sister. Please comfort her heart as she mourns. Remind her of our many years of laughter, prayer, and sisterhood. May she feel my love nearby and find peace in knowing that this parting is not forever. Our souls will rejoice together again in your presence, and what a day of rejoicing that will be! Finally, Lord, I thank you for the rest of my family and friends – the host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and my entire New St. Matthew church family. You know each one by name, and I ask you to bless and comfort them all. May the legacy of faith and love you allowed me to leave behind be a source of strength, hope, and inspiration. Let my life’s testimony point them closer to Christ, and may they find peace in knowing that though I am absent in body, I am present with Jesus – alive in your eternal light. YaiYai, I’m going to miss how you use to pick me up just to take me to the store and get all my snacks and juices for school I love you so much. Also, thanks for giving me my first job, I will miss you. Love Jya And now, Father, I rest in the promise of your word: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). By your grace, my crown of righteousness awaits, and I rejoice to hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:23). Comfort my loved ones with the peace only you can provide. Remind them that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). May the Lord bless you and keep them, may His face shine upon them and be gracious to them, may He lift up His countenance upon them and give them peace – until we are reunited in glory once more. Amen

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