Biscuits, sweet tea and Jesus. When we think about our Mema, these are the words that first come to mind. Whether Mema was cooking Sunday dinner, cutting a lemon for her sweet tea or praying for you, whatever she was doing, she was doing it with Jesus. Words seem inadequate when trying to pay tribute to such a devoted, loving and sacred matriarch.
Annie Lee Grooms, “Mema,” was born Aug. 8, 1934 and went to be with Jesus on Dec. 11, 2021. She grew up in McColl, South Carolina, with more brothers and sisters than we can count. Annie Lee married the love of her life, Robert Robinson, at just 16 years old on Sept. 23, 1950. For 63 years, she and Robert devoted their lives to creating a loving home where all were welcome.
Mema could do it all. From helping Papa plow the field to talking the fire out of your burns, she was the first one we ran to no matter the situation. To have only made it through eighth grade, she was the BEST teacher we ever had. She taught us how to tie our shoes, how to jump rope, play hopscotch, cook, shell peas and most importantly, to follow Jesus. Come to think about it, I really don’t know how she knew so much. She came from a very humble upbringing and never traveled the world, but she was the wisest woman we ever knew.
Losing Annie Lee has left a hole in all of our lives that will never be filled. Though we know we will never live up to the woman she was, we promise to spend every day trying to lead a life she would be proud of. We will never forget the lessons she has left us with, the memories we made together or the laughter and love she brought us all her days on Earth. We are blessed to be able to say that she spent her last days surrounded by her loving family watching her great-grandchildren play right outside her window.
When we reflect on the life Mema lived and the mark she made on this world, I truly believe she would want us all to remember that: “At the end of life, what really matters is not what we bought, but what we built; not what we got, but what we shared; not our competence, but our character; and not our success, but our significance. Live a life that matters, live a life of love.”
She was preceded in death by many brothers and sisters; her daughter, Diane Robinson; and her husband, Robert Robinson.
Surviving are her two children, Melinda Robinson-Barrington and husband Jeff Barrington of Rockingham, Robin and wife Patsy Robinson of Hamlet; four grandchildren, Heather and husband David Moore, Courtney Robinson and fiance Jeremy Chance, Brooke Robinson and Victoria Rich; five great-grandchildren, Savannah Chance, Anna Reese Chance, Harrison Moore, Jake Chance and Mary-Charles Moore; five step-grandchildren, Robert “RJ” Stubbs, Noah Stubbs, Jeremy Barrington, Stevie Barrington and Cole Barrington; a sister, Sara “Skeet” Grooms and a brother, Abraham “Buck” Grooms.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 from 1-2 p.m. at Maple Street Freewill Baptist Church in Rockingham. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2 and internment will be held at Nebo Wesleyan Church in Hamlet.
Memorials may be made to Richmond County Hospice 1119 US Hwy. 1 N Rockingham, NC 28379.
Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Robinson family.
