Obituary for Vivian Lee Robbins (Dowdy)
Vivian Lee Robbins passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at the age of 101 at Majestic Care of Battle Creek. She had also been a resident at Pennfield Premier Living for 4 years. She was a participant in the Senior Care PACE program since August 2010. The family is thankful for all the care provided through them.
Vivian was born on February 18, 1920, to Walter & Ora Lee Dowdy in Memphis, Tennessee. The family later spent some time in Arkansas and when Vivian was 12 years old her family moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan to be with family. Due to the differences in southern and northern schools Vivian had to restart school in the 5th grade, putting her quite a bit behind the other children her age. But with her hard work and determination, Vivian went on to graduate with her age group and even attended college. She was the oldest of nine children.
She married Cecil LaVern Robbins (Sr) in 1942 of Battle Creek and they had 2 children, Lee Ellen Robbins, and Cecil L Robbins II (Susan). She was preceded in death by her daughter and husband, who she always called LaVern.
Vivian’s family had many exceptionally talented musicians, so her home was frequently filled with music. She became a licensed beautician and eventually established New You Beauty Salon on VanBuren E & Hubbard streets in 1961. She became well known for knowing not just how to style African American hair, but how to care for it properly and developed such a good reputation that people came from Detroit and Chicago just to have her apply her skills on their hair.
In 1961 she became a Jehovah’s Witness and played an active role in the public ministry. Her son remembers back in the early 1970s when, on several occasions, she hosted a group of hippies for a Bible study. Over the years she provided accommodations lasting two weeks or more to over 70 people. Her attitude was... there’s always room for one more!
Vivian has always been a go getter who taught her children to do better and be better. Some of the things she enjoyed were cooking, sewing, music, gardening, traveling, and her faith. A special love in her life was her grandson, Dustin Robbins. Her advice was eat healthy, study the Bible, get to know God, work hard, and apply Bible principles in your life.
She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Della Roberts, Rosie Wright, and brother, Bill Dowdy. She has two surviving brothers, Walter Dowdy and Joe Dowdy, and 3 surviving sisters, Ora Mae Rhodes, Abbie Gray, and Cecilia Taggart.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com
Schedule for service:
Sunday, November 28, 2021
3:30-4:00 pm
Video Loop
4:00-4:30 pm
Memorial Talk by Brian Cooper
4:30 pm
Closing Song
Prayer
Closing Comments
4:30-4:45 pm
Video
This is a Zoom presentation. Please contact the family for the Zoom link. You will need to provide your email.
Vivian was born on February 18, 1920, to Walter & Ora Lee Dowdy in Memphis, Tennessee. The family later spent some time in Arkansas and when Vivian was 12 years old her family moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan to be with family. Due to the differences in southern and northern schools Vivian had to restart school in the 5th grade, putting her quite a bit behind the other children her age. But with her hard work and determination, Vivian went on to graduate with her age group and even attended college. She was the oldest of nine children.
She married Cecil LaVern Robbins (Sr) in 1942 of Battle Creek and they had 2 children, Lee Ellen Robbins, and Cecil L Robbins II (Susan). She was preceded in death by her daughter and husband, who she always called LaVern.
Vivian’s family had many exceptionally talented musicians, so her home was frequently filled with music. She became a licensed beautician and eventually established New You Beauty Salon on VanBuren E & Hubbard streets in 1961. She became well known for knowing not just how to style African American hair, but how to care for it properly and developed such a good reputation that people came from Detroit and Chicago just to have her apply her skills on their hair.
In 1961 she became a Jehovah’s Witness and played an active role in the public ministry. Her son remembers back in the early 1970s when, on several occasions, she hosted a group of hippies for a Bible study. Over the years she provided accommodations lasting two weeks or more to over 70 people. Her attitude was... there’s always room for one more!
Vivian has always been a go getter who taught her children to do better and be better. Some of the things she enjoyed were cooking, sewing, music, gardening, traveling, and her faith. A special love in her life was her grandson, Dustin Robbins. Her advice was eat healthy, study the Bible, get to know God, work hard, and apply Bible principles in your life.
She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Della Roberts, Rosie Wright, and brother, Bill Dowdy. She has two surviving brothers, Walter Dowdy and Joe Dowdy, and 3 surviving sisters, Ora Mae Rhodes, Abbie Gray, and Cecilia Taggart.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com
Schedule for service:
Sunday, November 28, 2021
3:30-4:00 pm
Video Loop
4:00-4:30 pm
Memorial Talk by Brian Cooper
4:30 pm
Closing Song
Prayer
Closing Comments
4:30-4:45 pm
Video
This is a Zoom presentation. Please contact the family for the Zoom link. You will need to provide your email.