Obituary

Evangelist Etta Agatha Robinson was born on August 29, 1945, in Warsop Trelawny, Jamaica,
the seventh of eight children to Alfred and Lillian Smith. Before marrying Bishop Doctor Calvin
D. Robinson Sr., she held various jobs, including as a cook, bank clerk, certified nursing assistant,
and running a family dry cleaning business. After their marriage in 1969, she completed her
education at the Cockburn Institute, where she earned her Jamaica School Certificate (JSC).
Etta had accepted God as her personal savior in 1962 and was baptized at the United Pentecostal
Church in New Road, Warsop. Together with her husband, she dedicated herself to raising their
seven children, lovingly teaching them the ways of the Lord.
In 1972, Evangelist Robinson was called into the ministry by Bishop Doctor Calvin D. Robinson
Sr. at the Rehoboth Apostolic Church on 315 Molynes Road in Jamaica. For over 50 years, she
faithfully served the Lord, beginning by organizing the Church Street Meeting that led to the
opening of Rehoboth Church on 3 Burk Road in Jamaica under the leadership of the late Mother
Mary Bailey. At Rehoboth, Evangelist Robinson held numerous roles, including choir director,
Sunday school teacher, usher, and president of the Women’s Ministry. Throughout her ministry,
she was a devoted prayer warrior for her family and church, supporting various programs within
the church.
In 1985, Evangelist Robinson migrated to the United States, settling in Baltimore, Maryland.
There, she became a member of Mount Zion Apostolic Church under the leadership of the late
Bishop Edith Mangum. Four years later, in 1989, she was appointed the National President for the
Youth Department of the Mt. Zion Organization. In this role, she initiated the first Youth
Congress, which featured competitions in spelling, cheering, singing, and drama.
In 1994, Evangelist Robinson and her husband founded The Apostolic Assembly of Jesus Christ
Deliverance Ministry. Then, in 2010, she became a member of Inner Court Ministries (Manna
Nation Ministries) under the leadership of Bishop Jonathan Wallace Sr., where she remained until
her passing.
Evangelist Robinson went home to be with the Lord in a peaceful transition surrounded by her
children on her 79th birthday, August 29, 2024. She was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and
Lillian Smith, and several siblings: Winnifred Smith, Thurston Lewis, Nerville Smith, Dolcie
Smith, and Vincent Smith. She was also predeceased by her son, Marvin D. Robinson Sr., and
granddaughter, Ricketta Riley.
Evangelist Etta A. Robinson leaves behind a cherished legacy: her six children – Calvin D.
Robinson Jr. (Carol Robinson), Sonja T. Robinson, Janet A. Riley (Richard Riley), Shelloo V.
Wallace (Sean Wallace), Lorenzo D.T. Robinson (Azeille Robinson), and Mary L.E. Robinson;
two brothers, Joseph Smith and Wesley Smith; 24 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a host of
nieces, nephews, and friends; the father of her children, Bishop Doctor Calvin D. Robinson Sr.;
and 3 godchildren. She will be deeply missed by her church family and community.