The Celebration of Life for Carolyn Pendarvis Robinson:

"Shake off Your Life Challenges and Learn Not to Ever Give Up."

Carolyn Pendarvis Robinson, age 89, formerly of Chicago, Illinois, died May 9, 2021, at Bella Terra Streamwood nursing home in Streamwood, Illinois.  Carolyn was born January 22, 1932, in Charleston, South Carolina, to Isadore and Queenie Pendarvis.

God blesses every single person on the planet with a life story to tell so that we may learn not to judge people before you truly know them. The children of Carolyn want to share precious memories of her life story in hopes that it wonderfully instills pride for Carolyn's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and for others as well.

Carolyn grew up in Charleston, S.C., attended Ebenezer A.M.E. Church as a youth, and graduated high school from Avery Institute in Charleston. On June 9, 1961, she was united in holy matrimony to the late William E. Robinson, Jr. until his passing in September 2007. Carolyn and William raised four children in Chicago: Charles, Stephanie, Wilveta, and Monique. While married and raising a family, education was a high priority to Carolyn. This is demonstrated by her obtaining two degrees and a certification over many years from 1961 to 1989. In April 1961, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.). Carolyn decided that a college education was her next goal and while working full-time as an L.P.N., she successfully completed college in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the National College of Education located in the nearby Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois.  Carolyn became a teacher for the Chicago Public School system after receiving her college degree in education.  When Carolyn wanted to earn extra holiday money for her family, she would continue to work part-time as a teacher while moonlighting as a private duty nurse. Her dedication to learning was finally completed in December 1989 when she obtained a Pharmacology certificate. Her pursuit of education did not go unnoticed by her children and grandchildren as they obtained higher degrees of education in fields ranging from law to healthcare to education and other disciplines.

Carolyn's commitment to her family as a wife and mother was unrelenting.  An amazing testimony of Carolyn's commitment to family is when she took, without hesitation, a one and a half years leave of absence from teaching to stay home full-time and care for one of her children who had mysteriously fallen ill. Once her child had recovered, Carolyn returned to teaching until she retired from the Chicago Public School system. Carolyn was a true SHERO to her children and anyone who knew her when it came to bettering oneself and providing for family.

Carolyn's and William's church memberships over their 46 years of marriage included Fernwood Methodist Church and Beverly Hills Methodist Church, both located near the family Carpenter Street home on the Chicago south side.  In her spare time, Carolyn's favorite hobby was sewing clothes from "McCall's" sewing patterns on her treasured "Singer" sewing machine, and joining the Order of the Eastern Star.

Carolyn is survived by her children Charles (Angela) Robinson, Stephanie (Marshall) Dominguez, Wilveta Robinson Oduyale, and Monique (José) Restituyo.  Carolyn's eleven grandchildren are Ava Robinson (Geoffrey) Fenelus, Dallas Robinson, Dara Robinson; Stephen Dominguez, Marshall (Scherica) Dominguez III, Dr. Alexis Oduyale (fiancé, Nik Moreno), OlaWale Oduyale, Bayoji Oduyale, Alexandra Restituyo, Naomi Restituyo and Jazmine Restituyo.  Her great-grandchildren are Brooklyn Fenelus and Kingston Fenelus, Khynedi Dominguez, Kahliya Dominguez and Kiyarah Dominguez. She is also survived by her sister Queenie Elizabeth (the late John) Tobias and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband William E. Robinson of 46 years; her sisters Alice Giles (James), and Mildred Gadsden (Herbert); and her brothers Vernon Pendarvis and Jade (Buster) Pendarvis (both of whom died tragically in their youth in 1940).

In lieu of offerings by flowers, monetary donations and any other in-kind donations contributed to the family on behalf of Carolyn, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association in the name of Carolyn Pendarvis Robinson.