The Life of  Lindoris Robinson Bickham

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."Romans 8:18

Lindoris Robinson was born November 9, 1952, in Varnado, Louisiana to Shelton Robinson and Rovella Lewis Robinson She was the first of seven children. She departed this life on October 3, 2024, at Herman Memorial Hospital in Houston, TX.

HER FAMILY LIFE

Lindoris, affectionately known as Lin, was a loyal and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She married Willie Ray Bickham in 1970, and they built and cultivated a life together. Lin devoted her life to being a good wife and mother, rearing her children in a loving and Christian home. She took them to Sunday school, to church, VBS, and to many other activities hosted by their church and in other churches in the community. She was a dedicated PTA/PTO parent and made sure her children were active in academic and extracurricular activities. She always encouraged them to do their best and to never, ever give up on a task. She took pride in rearing children

who were beacons of light among their peers, and always encouraged them to be kind to those who needed a fhend and especially those who were friendless. It was common for her children to see notes and scriptures posted on the walls of their home, especially in their bedrooms and kitchen. As a young mother, she had morning prayer with her children every single day before they would leave for school. And when they became adult children, Lin would pray with them each time they would leave her home to return to their destinations. She could often be heard singing one of her favorite songs as she moved about her home cooking or cleaning, and she proudly shared her gift of singing with her children, teaching them everything she knew about music.

The most memorable instructions she left with her children were

1) Let peace be your umpire 2) God is not the author of

confusion 3) Don't ever give up. Ever! and 4) The power of life

and death is in your tongue. Declare those [negative] words powerless.

Her favorite outings were attending football games with her husband and going to their favorite restaurants. She really enjoyed when the two of them would travel to visit their children and grandchildren.

She also loved her siblings and enjoyed spending time with them often and especially holidays. There was absolutely nothing she would not do for them, and she did everything in her power to make sure they remained close after their parents died. She was affectionately known by her nieces, nephews and many other children as "Mommie" (mom-ee').

HER EDUCATION

Lindoris began her education at Jones Creek Elementary School in Varnado, LA. She attended Wesley Ray High School and during integration, she was transferred to Varnado High School. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University for a short time. She attended Delta College and received her CNA diploma. HER CAREER

Lin spent many of her young adult years as a professional seamstress. She worked for Pioneer Aerospace Company sewing parachutes and for B. Bennett Apparel company making men and women's clothing. She was also one of the most sought after seamstresses in the area. She also worked as an independent seamstress and maintained a regular clientele list. She has a special talent for sewing and would often design her own pieces for her children or clients.

Although Lindoris continued to sew for her clients, she transitioned into a career as a nursing assistant after receiving her diploma. She would maintain that career until she began to have challenges with her health. One of the greatest joys of her life was caring for her patients. Her family would jokingly tell her she could go broke spending all her money buying socks, bows, throws, sweaters, etc., for her patients. She quickly bonded with them. They became like family to her, as she would often pray for them and would stop by to check on them even on her days off.

One of Lindoris' favorite employment in her later years was working at Mother's Coffee Shop, a family-owned business, where she was the General Manager.

CHURCH & SPIRITUAL LIFE

Lindoris was baptized at an early age and joined New Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev.

A.L. Owens. She later served in the church under the leadership of Pastor Linza Ray Cotton until her death. Coming from generations of singers, she quickly found her place in the choir and was a lead singer throughout her life. Some of the most notable songs she led with the choir included "To Be Like Jesus", "Lord Hold My Hand- I Want to Live for Thee", "No Charge", "Lord I Love You", "Thank you Lord for All You've Done for Me", and "Though Time are Hard". Her most notable solo was "One Day at a Time".

Lindoris became the ministry leader of the New Zion Youth and youth choir in the 1980s. Through this role, she grew to be a spiritual mother and mentor to many. Many of the youth she led are now leaders, ministers, and spiritual influencers in their own churches and communities far and near.

In addition to singing in her church choir, Lin also sang in other community choirs including Second Springhill District Choir, The Women of Zion, and the GMWA James Cleveland Workshop Choir – Bogalusa Chapter, among others. She also was a member of the RELCA Gospel Singers, a family choir founded by her Aunt Alice Walker. Lindoris was a founding member of the Robinson Family Singers with whom she sang until her last days. She served the Lord and her community throughout her life by singing at churches, family day events, retirements, and anniversaries or wherever she was needed. She was well known throughout the Washington Parish and surrounding parishes as one of those singing Robinson girls. Along with her dedication to music, Lin served as a Sunday School Teacher, a VBS teacher, and leader of the Junior Mission Auxiliary. She was a member of the Senior Mission Auxiliary and was active with the Second Springhill District Sunday School Convention & Congress, often serving as a convention delegate.

Above and beyond all else, she loved the Lord as she passionately proclaimed on her death bed, and she desland as one of her last spoken thoughts, "THERE IS A GOD! !! THERE IS A GOD! ! !".

HER HOBBIES

All who knew her knew that Lindoris was a creative. She loved to design almost everything by using her interior design and sewing skills. She had a real talent for bringing ordinary things to life. She also loved shopping and eating out with her girl group- Vern, Judy, Clorenda, and Ella.

Lin was known for delicious gumbo and her famous chicken and dumplings. She left this earth with 4 culminating events that brough her joy beyond measure: her final birthday celebration which she shared with all October & November family; a weekend trip to Florida on what  would be her final Mothers' Day; the 2024 Lewis Family mass reunion planning committee which will always be part of her legacy and of which she was so proud; and the wedding trip to Texas which was the most fun and special girl trip with her 2 daughters.Lindoris leaves to celebrates her memories her husband of 54 years, Willie Ray Bickham, Sr.; daughters LaCresha (Keith) Green of Winder, GA and Tyressa Bickham of Atlanta, GA; son Willie Ray Bickham, Jr. of Walker, LA; grandchildren: Tyren Gatlin, Raven Bickham, Taj Bickham, and Amiree Brown; one great- grandson; sisters: Wilda Fay (Dwight) Shephard of Los Angeles, CA , Vernadine Roberts of Angie, LA, and Judy Robinson of Varnado, LA; brother, Stanley (Claretta) Robinson of Angie, LA ; beloved siblings with whom she was also raised: Tommy (Elaine) Thompson, Terry Thompson, and Faye (Leslie) McCarty all of New Orleans, LA; step sisters and brothers: Mae Mark, Wynette Mark, Patricia Nichols, Leatdce Smith, and Lionelle ( Amen(ia) Mark all ofVarnado, LA; sisters-in-"law Rachel Robinson , Sylvia Nelson, and Carrie Harry; brothers'-inlaw LJ (Ethel Mae) Bickham and Leroy Spikes, Sr. of Angie, LA; God-sister Katrina Daniels; best friends Elnora Collins and Linder Dillon; special daughters, Rashell "Coco" Lewis and Catura Robinson; Ikiea Celestien; a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Rovella Lewis Thompson; her father, Rev. Shelton Robinson; her stepparents, Sylvester Thompson and Elnora Robinson; her paternal grandparents, Charlie Robinson and Rebecca Sam Robinson, and her maternal grandparents, Armelia Mondy Moses and Martee Lewis; her brothers Felton Robinson and ReC Charlie Robinson; her grandson- Baby Zachary Green.