Percy L. Robbins, son of the late James Robbins and Maggie Bell Chavis Elliott was born on March 3, 1953 at 10:25 pm at Chowan Hospital in Edenton, North Carolina. He was called home by our Heavenly Father on September 6, 2020 in the comfort of his home with his family around him.
Early in life, Percy recognized his salvation was in Jesus Christ and at an early age accepted Christ into his heart as his personal savior. He would use his relationship with the Lord to help him navigate life. His faith and relationship with Christ had a strong influence on his family.
Along with being a faithful follower of Christ, Percy was also an eternal student. He was always reading, learning and studying. In his personal library that consists of hundreds of books, there are books about things ranging from the history of African Americans to books about Science. He always took pride in having an abundance of knowledge and took even more pride in using that knowledge to empower his fellow man. His love for learning can be traced back to his early childhood at Ashland Elementary through DF Walker High School to John Holmes High School and finally to North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC. While there he studied and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. This is where his life would change forever and he met his “Queen” Amelia Taylor and in August of 1979 they got married. They were blessed with two sons, Dexter and Jeremy, whom he called his “princes”.
For those who knew Percy, they understood that faith, family, and fun were his values. Anyone who knew him could tell a story of something that he said or did that has made a significant impact on them. Whether it was a joke that he told that would make you laugh so hard that your belly ached and your jaws would get tired or wisdom that he shared that could save a relationship or challenge you mentally. He always had a servant's heart. He was a true servant in every way. He served as a police officer in Durham, NC and strived to make a difference providing public service. He also served his country in the United States Army after which he held numerous federal jobs as a public servant. Though he had a lot of accomplishments early on, his proudest and most fulfilling role as a servant to the public was as a Reverend. He loved offering mentorship and advice to everyone, but he especially had a special place in his heart for helping young black males. He realized that there were a lot of things missing in his community and he was always eager to help. He was never one to shy away or back down from what he knew was right.
Two of the sayings that he instilled in his son’s were “dare to be different” and “if it is to be, it is up to me”. This mentality is only part of the reason Percy was and still is a hero to both of his sons. Dexter and Jeremy saw how their father treated their mother, Amelia Robbins, like a queen. Percy showed them how to honor a woman and be a gentleman. He started teaching them how to become young men starting at an early age. He instilled in them ethics and values. Things such as opening and holding the door for women, offering your seat to a woman or the elderly, and a host of other intangible traits that most would take for granted. Percy also showed his sons on a daily basis what a real warrior of GOD looked like. Along with their mother, they saw their dad face many challenges and use his victories to glorify his heavenly Father.
Percy’s true calling was the ministry, he loved sharing the gospel and lifting up Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. He often said that his life’s story was his testimony and all that knew him would agree.
He leaves to cherish: his beloved wife, Amelia, sons, Dexter of Maryland, Jeremy of Maryland, from previous marriage daughter, Patrice Bell of North Carolina and son Philip (Joy) of North Carolina, his brother Alexander Robbins of North Carolina, his sisters Brenda Powell, Teresa Robbins and Sandra Davenport, all of North Carolina, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his siblings, James and Linda Robbins, and Frances R. Shannonhouse.
(Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8)
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted:
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
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