Obituary of Dorothy Robinson Mitchell

Dorothy (Dot) Ann Knox Robinson-Mitchell was born on October 7, 1937 to the late Robert Samuel Knox and the late Mamie Bernice Haynes Knox at Meharry Hospital in Nashville, TN. She was educated at Haynes High School of Davidson County, Nashville, TN were she played basketball and volleyball. Dorothy also was a member of the marching band, concert band and the choir. Dot graduated from Haynes High School Class of 1955. Dorothy accepted Christ at an early age at Zion Baptist Church . She served as a soloist, director, and member of the Number 2 Choir along with her sisters. The sisters performed together throughout Nashville and surrounding counties and were known as “The Knox Sisters.” Dorothy married the late Robert Robinson on Dec 21, 1956, relocating to Indianapolis, IN. From this union they had five sons Dea, Emory and Samuel. Milton Earl and Paschal preceded her in death. Dorothy first job was a Distribution/Rate Clerk with the U.S. Postal Service. After leaving the Post Office, she was employed with Coppercraft Guild and became the first African American to be promoted to District Sales Manager. As District Sales Manager she earned numerous trips to Nassau, Bahamas, Palma de Majorca Spain, and Amsterdam Holland. She was also employed as a part-time model with Summit Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN. Dorothy was hired as a Sales Representative for Prudential Life Insurance. She obtained her license to sell life insurance in the states of Indiana and Tennessee and became the first African American female Insurance agent in the Indianapolis market. Dorothy was a member at Second Moravian Church where she was appointed as the first Gospel Chorus Choir Director. Under her leadership the choir toured throughout the Midwest and East coast exposing gospel music to Moravian Churches. She also served as President of the Mid-states Moravian Women’s Fellowship and was active member in lay leadership positions within the church. Dorothy became an empty nester and decided to return Nashville to spend time with her late grandmother, Susie Johns Knox. While in Nashville she joined the First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill where she served as a member of the Sanctuary Choir, Young Adult Choir and Fellowship (although she was not a young adult) and President of the Matron’s Circle. Dorothy also volunteered her services as President, Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer and the Women’s Auxiliary of the American Baptist Churches of the South, Area 6. In addition, Dorothy was President of the Haynes Alumni Association. She led the fight for Haynes High School to be declared an African American Historical Site in Davidson County Tennessee. Dot was employed by the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools as an executive secretary for the newly formed Martin Luther King, Jr. High School. During this time, she met and was united in holy matrimony to her husband of 20 years; Ernest Mitchell. They joined New Visions Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Sherman Tribble. Upon her retirement, Dorothy and Ernest moved back to Indianapolis to be with her children and grandchildren. Dorothy joined Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. She was a member and served as President of the Mothers Board starting the Rev. Gary Sellars Scholarship Fund. She is survived by her husband Ernest Mitchell, sons: Rev. Dea K. Robinson (Vanessa), Emory Jerome Robinson (Phyllis), Samuel LeRoy Robinson (Nadine), grandchildren (loving referred to as “Grandmama”): Samuel, Solomon, Desmond, Phillip, Patrick (Jasmyne), Mareesia, seven great-grandchildren; Sisters: Susie Babb, Jessie Teasley, Sharon Bush, Sandra, Sherron, and Omega Knox; Brothers: Samuel and Neal Knox, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.