Frank Robinson, Jr. was born November 17, 1901, in Lowell, North Carolina, the son of Dr. Frank
Robinson and Mamie Steele Robinson. He had one brother, Linwood Robinson, a half sister,
Erwin, and a half brother, Steele. He attended the University of North Carolina and earned a degree
in pharmacy. He joined his father who owned a chain of Rexall drug stores in Rutherfordton, NC.
He married Mary Anna Mills on February 24, 1921 . On September 18, 1922 they gave birth to a
son, Frank Robinson, Ill.
During the depression years they moved to St. Petersburg, FL. Frank then attended Emory
University's School of Theology and was ordained a Methodist minister in the Florida Conference.
They served Wimauma, 1932; Montverde-Ocoee, 1933; the Leon Circuit, 1934; Edgewood Hillsboro, 1935; Child's Park, St. Petersburg, 1936; Starke, 1938; and Arcadia, 1940.
Frank was an avid pilot in the early twenties, flying his own Curtiss Jenny's, Waco 9's and Waco
1 O's. When World War II broke out he was the first Florida Conference pastor to enter Military
service (1942) as a chaplain-but he also served as a flight instructor. He rose to the rank of Captain
in the United States Army Air Corps, and served in England, North Africa and Italy. At the end of
the war, he returned to the Methodist pulpit and served First Street, St. Petersburg (Associate for
six months), 1946; Tarboux Memorial, 1946; Umatilla, 1949; Grace, St. Petersburg, 1953; Concord
Park, 1954; Manatee, 1959; and Bayshore, Tampa, 1963. He retired in 1964.
After recovering from lung cancer surgery in the early sixties he retired back to his home in St.
Petersburg. He stayed active in the church in many different capacities. They moved from St. Pete
to Lakeland and then to Winter Haven to be closer to their son and his family. He was visiting
minister for Beymer Memorial U.M.C., Winter Haven, for a number of years. Frank was a member
of the Kiwanis Club, and a Mason of the Umatilla Lodge. He was also a model railroad enthusiast,
inspired by the great steam locomotives of his youth. The last railroad he and his son built was a
massive layout that filled a two-car garage.
This thirty-year retiree died of natural causes on March 21, 1994, just over twelve hours following
the death of his wife of 73 years on the same day. He leaves a daughter-in-law, Lois W. Robinson,
of Haines City; two grandchildren, Frank Robinson, IV, of Winter Haven and Mary Robinson
Mowere, of Lake Mary, FL. The funeral for Frank and Mary was conducted on March 23 at Beymer
Memorial United Methodist Church with burial at Haines City. Officiating were Robert M. Temple,
Jr., pastor, and William H. Horner, visiting minister.
Submitted by: Robert M. Temple, Jr.