Dr. Reginald Robinson's Obituary
Dr. Reginald E. Robinson, 53, formerly of Chattanooga, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025, in a local hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was born on April 23, 1972, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Edna D. Robinson. Although, he was born as an only child, over the years he has been adopted by an extensive number of additional siblings and families. Most people know him by his childhood nicknames. His nickname was “Reggie” to family and close friends. He was called “Eugene” by his school classmates. He was loved by everyone he met because he loved others just as much as he loved himself. He was a social butterfly. He enjoyed talking and helping others. He lived his life in service to God and helping others. He attended Orchard Park SDA Church, where he accepted the Gospel at the age of 13 years old. At a young age, he chose to serve God in the Church. As Reginald attempted to serve GOD in the church, trials came and he was defeated. But in 1996, God gave him restoration; he and his wife were baptized and recommitted their lives to GOD at the New Life SDA Church. Reginald was a wonderful husband, son, pastor, photographer, author, chaplain, friend, uncle, brother, nephew, cousin, confidant and so much more. He tried to make sure everywhere he went and all that he did would reflect the love of Christ to others. He was a man who loved God, his family and the community. He believed diligently in accomplishing whatever goals or plans that were set before him. He finally finished his last God given task on this earth.
Dr. Reginald E. Robinson graduated from Kirkman Technical High School, Class of 1991. As he searched and sought after his purpose for his life. He met his future wife (Cynthia M. Love) and they fell in love and got married in 1994. Approximately four years later, after getting married he felt God calling him into ministry. He prayed and discussed with God and his wife; and they relocated to Huntsville, Alabama to attend Oakwood College. While working in God’s vineyard, Reginald was ordained as an Elder in 2001 at MT. Calvary SDA church. He later served as First Elder in Deckerd, Tennessee. In 2006 he was one of the Keynote Speakers with Share Him, Global Evangelism in Tanzania, Africa. While there, he and ten other ministers from Oakwood College baptized and enrolled in bible classes for baptism 1,236 souls. Reginald also spent 1-½ months in Dayton, Ohio the summer of 2007 with 86 Bible Studies and two were led to Christ. He served as Chaplain for the Tennessee River Youth Federation and Vice-President for Central Alabama Youth Federation. He also served as Youth Pastor at First SDA Church of Fairfield, Alabama, Assistant Couples Ministries Leader, and helped with other organizations outside the church. Yet, through his matriculation through Oakwood College, he still worked full time at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center as a Counselor. Reginald was well known for his kindness and compassion for all. He always greeted everyone with a smile of love. They all had different call names for one another. His call name was “Elmo” because he was always making others laugh and smile through his words of encouragement. He met many people from all over the world and still had a good standing relationship with many of them even today. Reginald always believed and lived the J-O-Y acronym which means Jesus first, serving Others and taking care of Yourself. He accepted everyone as friend and/or family, but most became both to him.
Although Reginald completed his B.A. degree in December 2006 in Religion and Theology, he wanted to graduate with his wife. After his many years residing in Huntsville, Alabama, he waited until May 2007, and they both graduated together from Oakwood University. In 2008, he was invited to present and speak and his title was “Rules of Survival”. It had such an impact on others that he was getting invitations to come present “Rules of Survival”. In 2008, he began a ministry called “Survival Ministries”. He began presenting, speaking and became the Director of Survival Ministry (A Ministry headed by him and his wife) to help equip others to walk daily with Christ, with practical application of biblical principles.)
In 2009, Dr. Reginald E. Robinson and his wife decided they wanted to continue higher pursuit of education towards their Master’s degree at Andrews University. As he pursued his degree as a student, he was actively involved in many of the college organizations. From 2014-2015, he was the President, B.S.A.S. (Black Student Association Seminary), from 2013-2014 Religious Affairs Director, Andrews Theological Seminary (Berrien Springs, MI.) In 2012- Youth Week of Prayer, Benton Harbor, Michigan, Highland Seventh-day Adventist Church, from 2013-2014 Chaplain, B.S.A.S. (Black Student Association Seminary) School Year, and from 2012-2013 Volunteer, CYE (Center for Youth Evangelism) Andrews University.
While attending the Andrews University Seminary, Reginald was pursuing his degree but still working in God’s vineyard through ministry as well as evangelism in the church as well as the community. He served as a Resident Pastor at Morgan Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chicago, Illinois. He and his wife later graduated from the Andrews University Seminary in August 2015 together. Dr. Reginald E. Robinson graduated with his degree in Master of Divinity from Andrews University. After Dr. Robinson completed a degree at Andrews University with a Masters of Divinity, he later received an invitation from the Allegheny West Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist offering him employment as a pastor with their conference in 2016. He accepted the invitation to begin gainful employment with the Allegheny West Conference of SDA as a pastor. During this time, he served as the Pastor of Smyrna Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lynchburg Virginia and the Hope for Today Mission in Evergreen, Virginia. Although, he accepted this call, he still continued to minister to others through his living. He became a part of several community organizations during his time in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was a part of “Men 2 School” an organization that helped mentor and assisted students in school. He was also a member of the Lynchburg Voters League which helped the public to understand the process of voting, met with political officials running for local offices, and transported seniors and others to get to the voting polls. He was also a part of the Lynchburg’s Ministerial Alliance which included local pastors in the Lynchburg, Virginia area. After serving in the Allegheny West Conference of SDA, he began to feel another calling upon his life. So, he began to pray and felt God leading him into chaplaincy. He applied for a chaplaincy program in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 2018, he completed 4 units of CPE from the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Veterans Hospital at that time and also received Denominational Endorsement from the North American Division as a HealthCare Chaplain. After completing the chaplaincy program, Reginald was going to begin applying for chaplain positions, but God had another plan. He applied for Sioux Falls Seminary which later changed its name to Kairos University for their doctoral program. He started the doctoral work in October of 2019. While working towards his doctorate degree, and contemplating going into military chaplaincy, he received an invitation to join the South Central Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist Pastoral Team. He prayed and gladly accepted God’s call to come back to his home conference. Dr. Reginald E. Robinson was installed as a pastor in February 2019. He served as a pastor in the South-Central Conference at the historical Morning Star SDA church and the First Port Gibson SDA Church. During this time, he also was passionate about working and being involved with the community. He became a member of the NAACP and the Mayor Faith Based Advisory Board. While in this district both churches were renovated, Land has been purchased and paid off. There have been several community events and Evangelistic meetings resulting in a combined 19 baptism and 1 Profession of Faith. While serving in this district, on June 18, 2022, the South Central Conference of SDA ordained Elder Robinson at the South Central Conference camp meeting to transition to Pastor Robinson, who was now endorsed by the North American of SDA to pastor and preach the gospel around the world. In February 2023, he was installed as the pastor of the College Hill SDA Church. He and his wife embraced this new transition to relocate to Knoxville, Tennessee. Under his administration, the church was renovated through additional men and women’s restrooms, an added media area within the church, etc. Under his administration, the church has received at College Hill, approximately thirty-six baptized people within the two years of his ministry at College Hill SDA church. He continuously participated in the involvement in the community as well. He became a member of K.I.C.M.A. which is the Knoxville Ministerial Alliance of local pastors. He actively proceeded to be involved in community events i.e Community Service Federation Conference Speaker in Mississippi 2024. He was also a member of P.A.L.S. which was the Seventh-day Adventist multicultural pastors of Knoxville, Tennessee. Also, on January 31, 2025, he completed his DMin in doctoral ministry from Kairos University.
Dr. Reginald E. Robinson was a humble man who loved God but always made it known that his greatest second love was his wife, Cynthia. These two were inseparable. Serving God through love for each other and survival ministries were their connector to God and each other. Due to miscarriages, they did not have biological children of their own but in their village, they have plenty of godchildren, foster children, nieces and nephews and adopted other children and families by heart. So, they had 30 wonderful years of marriage of love, happiness, laughter and joy. Wednesday, June 18, 2025, would have been their 31st wedding anniversary but his time came to a close before they could celebrate it. On May 30, 2025, he rested from his battle with this life.
Reginald was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clifford Robinson and Louise Smith Robinson; and grandparents-in-love, Elmer L. Coleman and Margaree Coleman.
Dr. Reginald E. Robinson's favorite scripture was 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 and Matthew 6:33. He leaves to cherish his memory to his devoted wife of 30 years, Cynthia M. Robinson; his mother, Edna D. Robinson; parental in-love, Robert M. Love, Sr.; mother-in-love, Sherri Y. (Leehillard, Jr.) Russell; brother-in-love, Robert M. Love, Jr.; uncles, Raymond Robinson, and Garry (Rhonda) Martin of Wildwood, GA; uncles-n-love, Samuel (Patricia) Coleman, Paul Coleman of Fayetteville, GA, Kenard Coleman, and Lenard Coleman; aunts, Marvella Pierce and Selena Robinson; aunts-in-love, Margaret Harris, Loretta (Willie Paul) McPhaul of Fayetteville, NC), Carolyn Goodloe of Huntsville, AL, Marlene Cooper, and Sheila (Lovell) Culberson, both of Chattanooga, TN; niece-in-love, Avery Love; cousin/sister-in-love, Dymetrice (Pierre) Point Du Jour; close friend (s) of the Family, Quinita Robinson, Britton Family, and Thompkins Family; extended family, The Martin family, The Coleman family, Point Du Jour family, Love family, Cooper family, Culberson family, Robinson family, and host of other loved close family and friends.
Dr. Reginald E. Robinson will lie-in-state on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 1-5 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel with Pastor Troy Brand as the Officiant and Pastor Kennedy Luckett as the Eulogist. Burial on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.
DIRECTIONS FOR LIVE STREAM: Click on the link below to view the service on Sunday, June 22, 2025 @ 3 p.m. (EST.)
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc1MDM4MjcxNzE2NjEyMTMmb25lcm9vbS1hZG1pbiZjb3B5X2xpbms=
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