Ida "Pearl" Robinson

Ida Pearl Robinson age 86 of Crossville, TN passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Cumberland Medical Center. Pearl was born on July 2, 1937 in Tazewell, TN to the late Claude and Pauline Massey, all of whom were natives of the Cherokee Indian tribe of Middle Tennessee. Pearl was one of ten children but lost four of her siblings due to illness and disease—all before they ever reached their fourth birthday. Pearl was raised with the remainder of her five siblings during an era when nearly a third of Americans lived in poverty. Most homes had no running water, flushing toilets or electricity, as was the case in the Massey household. Work was scarce, times were lean, and cupboards were very often bare. Having so very little, there was not a lot to hold onto—except for each other. So that is what they did. Growing up, family was everything to Pearl. Everything. Early on she developed her selfless attitude, always putting others’ needs before her own. Her love for seeing others happy, deep rooted morals and values, as well as a keen sense for right and wrong, helped instill a character within her that was fierce and brave, and at times . . . even stubborn as an ox! She stood up for what she believed in and made all her decisions with faith and integrity—ensuring it was always the best thing for her family. At 24-years-old, and after dating for only twenty eight days, Pearl married the love of her life, Gordon Lee Robinson, on May 26, 1962 in Cleveland, Ohio. The two bought their little white house and began a family of their own, having dreams of spending a long life together. But after only nine years, Gordon passed away unexpectedly. After his death, Pearl took on both mom and dad roles, raising her daughters to believe in the authority and power of Jesus, and instilling a sense of independence, curiosity and resiliency that has not been shaken for four generations. Pearl never remarried. Pearl will be remembered as a talented woman who was gifted in so many areas. She was a quilter, an artist, and a bit of a guitar player. She had a profound love for music, a trait passed down to her children and grandchildren. She was a writer and a humanitarian. Pearl despised injustice, inequality, hatred and cruelty in any form, and was not afraid to stand against it. She was creative, inventive, intelligent, generous, humble, and kind—and she loved her family so. She is survived by her three daughters, Rhonda Schoemaker (Ricky), Brenda Rector (JD), and Krystal Newton. Grandchildren include Natasha and Dustin Schoemaker, Larissa and Ashley Rector, and Logan and Jerica Newton; Great-Grandchildren, Jadaya, Jaylyn, and Jase Houston, Brachae and Berkley Young, Kenyon Rector, Maddox, Kyson, and Grayson Lansford, and Coty Newton; and Great-Great-Grandchild, Montley Jayne Benjamin. Siblings include Opal Branch and Patsy Hale. Pearl was proceeded in death by her parents Claude Emory Massey and Etchie Laverne (Pauline) Massey, brother Claude Osborne Massey, and sisters Helen Dixon and Jewel Warner. Services will be held at Bilbrey Funeral Home on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 1:00. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Although she was an incredibly humble person who did not care for a lot of attention, we hope you can join us to celebrate the hero she truly was—as we say, “see you later” and “thank you” for the many blessings and innumerable lessons she has bestowed upon us all.