Estherlene Robinson Hillman

OBITUARY
(As Written by Estherlene Robinson Hillman)

ESTHERLENE ROBINSON HILLMAN was born at home on January 18, 1947, in the small, rural community known as “Carter`s Branch/Peter`s Town” in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. She was the first child born to William Ester Robinson and Annie Belle Pride Robinson. The family wanted her to be named after her father, so her aunt, O`Dale Anderson Robinson, suggested ESTHERLENE, thinking also of queen ESTHER in the Holy Bible. She shared this idea with a neighbor, Mrs. Gertrude Mann, and the family liked it and happily agreed to give the baby girl this name. Estherlene took pride in the fact that she learned about the history of her name.

The family relocated to Tuscumbia, Alabama, and later moved to Florence in 1950. Two of her father’s brothers, Jessie and Cleophus, also relocated to Florence around the same time. Uniting with family, new friends and nice neighbors, Florence became home.

Estherlene attended W. C. Handy Elementary School and Burrell-Slater High School. She loved Burrell and was a graduate of the Burrell-Slater Class of 1965. Their class was a very close class and have continued this close friendship. It is notable that in their 100-piece marching band, four of the girls from the class of 1965 were included in the majorette line. They were: Willa Barnett (Oates), Barbara Burns (Pride), Shirley Ross and Estherlene Robinson (Hillman).

She later attended Calhoun Community College and Florence State College (now the University of North Alabama).

In the summer of 1965, Estherlene began her first job with the Head Start Program at Brandon Elementary School in Florence. Following her job at Brandon Elementary School, Estherlene was employed by Genesco for five years, and in 1972, she accepted a position with Diamond Shamrock Chemical Company (which later became Occidental Chemical Company) where she retired after 31 years of service. This is where she met her beloved husband, James. They were married on May 24, 1975, and to this union, God blessed them with a darling, beautiful daughter, Caressa Nicole on January 19, 1980.

Estherlene grew up in a family that worshipped in Church regularly. She confessed hope in Jesus Christ in her youth and was baptized by Pastor Byrd and joined the congregation of the Carter’s Branch Missionary Baptist Church, Tishomingo, MS. She and her parents and siblings later joined the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Florence, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. G. E. Nelson.

In 2001, Estherlene united with the First Missionary Baptist Church of Sheffield, AL where she faithfully attended Sunday School, weekly bible study, and served with the Missionary Society.
Estherlene loved and cherished her family. She prayed for and kept in contact with her relatives who were nearby as well as those miles away. She looked forward to attending family, school, and community events. She was always supportive of her family. Estherlene’s special memories are those spending time with her family. She loved gospel music, jazz and the sounds of Motown. Estherlene loved to read biographies and researching family history.

Estherlene was preceded in death by her parents, William Ester Robinson and Annie Pride Robinson; and sisters, Patricia Ann Robinson (who transitioned to eternal rest at the young age of 13 months) and Sandra Robinson Brewer.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Her husband, James Hillman of Florence, AL; daughter, Caressa Hillman Todman (Androceto) of Dallas, GA; sister, Gwendolyn Woods of Florence, AL; brother Derrick Robinson (Gloria) of Florence, AL; nephews Aurick Woods (Chandra) of Acworth, GA, and Geoffrey Robinson (Kymberly) of Muscle Shoals, AL; niece Jazmine Robinson of New Market, AL; great-nephews Christopher Woods and Cameron Woods of Acworth, GA; and great nieces, Jordan Robinson of McDonough, GA, and Victoria “Wynnie” McDaniel of New Market, AL.
Special Friends: The Class of `65 – Burrell Slater High School God family: The Chris Skipworth family of Muscle Shoals, AL and a host of other relatives and friends.

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