Robbie Lee Yoakum

Robbie Lee Yoakum was born on May 11, 1930, in Benchley, Texas to the union of Robert and Pinky Johnson. She was their 12th child and their youngest daughter.

Robbie Lee’s early Christian experience started when she united with Harmon Chapel Baptist Church. She attended public school at Harmon Chapel and later graduated from Kemp High School in Bryan, Texas.

Robbie met and married Fred Toliver who was from Bryan and was in the military. Robbie went to live with her brother Clarence, his wife Mae Francis Johnson and Aunt Jo and their family. She then moved with Fred to the military base, this being her first time away from her home of Bryan, Texas. Soon Robbie returned to live with her brother Clarence and his family.

She later decided to move to San Francisco, California to be with her brothers and sister. There, she met and married Ernest Yoakum. To this union, they adopted as their son Darryl Jones, Ernest’s nephew.

She secured a job at Laguna Honda Home. Robbie later worked for several years as an election aide for the Joseph Alioto campaign. Mr. Alioto would later become mayor of San Francisco. She worked for various departments within the County of San Francisco, retiring from the Wastewater Department after over 30 years.

In Robbie’s early years in San Francisco, Robbie joined membership with Third Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member for over 50 years until it was necessary for her to move due to health reasons. She was involved in numerous activities at Third Baptist, but her favorite was singing in the choir.

Robbie and Ernest went on vacation to Bryan, Texas and returned to San Francisco with her sister Kate and Kate’s girls Elizabeth (Lizzy) and Mary (Jo-B). Soon after, her baby brother Richard, his wife and their baby daughter Sharon arrived.

Robbie’s great love was for her family and friends. She was a fun filled auntie. She grew up with her niece Shirley as they were 7 years apart, but Shirley was a thorn in her side. She would beg Ma Pinky to make Shirley call her Aunt Robbie. Shirley never did...sticking her tongue out at her and running to Ma Pinky for protection. She loved her niece Ada Delores Carr (Clarence and Mae Francis’ daughter), making several trips to Houston to visit her and nephew Maurice and their family. She was big on hanging out with all her nieces and nephews. Whatever family gathering there was, she would be there. If you needed help with cooking, moving, shopping for clothes, you name it, she would be there. She enjoyed shopping, good seafood, beer, sports (especially football) and talking about politics. She enjoyed going to the racetrack with her son Darryl and hanging out with her grandchildren, CJ and Danielle. She enjoyed spending and having good times with her close friends Gladys and Wynella.

Robbie lived in San Francisco for over 60 years but due to health reasons moved to Houston, Texas to be in the care of her nephew Maurice Carr and his family. She was later moved to the facility of Heavenly Manor directed by Dr. Mia Singleton. Dr. Singleton and her staff provided exceptional care for Aunt Robbie until she was called home to be with the Lord.

Preceding her in death are her parents, her son, Darryl Jones, her grandson, CJ, sisters Sylvia Mae Britt, Lorraine Thorne, Inez Grays, Lillie Faye Hawkins, brothers Tyree, Rucker, Clarence, Arthur, Pinkney, Billy, Richard Johnson.

Robbie leaves to cherish her memory, her granddaughter Danielle Jones, of Arizona, her sister Kate Johnson of San Francisco, her nephew Maurice Carr and his children Tiffany, Chavon and Justin and their families. In addition, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A gathering for celebration of life for Robbie will be held Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM at St. Columba Catholic Church Hall, 6401 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Yoakum family.