Doretha Napoleon

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10

Doretha J. Robinson Napoleon, daughter of the late Willie R. Robinson Sr. and Mrs. Ida J. Bethea Robinson, came forth into this world on June 18, 1921. Mrs. Napoleon knew the importance of salvation and at a young age she decided to make Jesus her choice and was a committed warrior on the battlefield for God.

Doretha was educated in the public schools of Durham, North Carolina. After her school years she entered the work force where she maintained employment until retiring. She was also blessed to have musical skills and used them to glorify God. She enjoyed singing, playing the Piano, and also taught herself to play the harmonica. She enjoyed calling her family and friends of their birthdays to play Happy Birthday to them on her harmonica. She blessed the congregation at the Mt. Tabor Baptist Church as the musician for the senior choir until she was no longer able to drive. 

Doretha also enjoyed writing letters, and she wrote letters to her family and friends because she said stamps are cheaper than making long distance calls. She had many things that she loved to do, from reading sewing, cooking, going to church and a plethora of other things.

On May 15, 1988 she was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of her life, James F. Napoleon in Chicago Illinois. They knew each other back in Durham after he was honorably discharged from the United States Navy. Doretha moved from the Durham area and made Chicago her home. She continued to write him many letters and sent pictures and the next thing you know they were getting married. After the marriage they moved to Bennettsville and lived a good life together until his death on January 21, 2016.

She was an active and dedicated member at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and supported all of the ministries there with her presence and would make sure she supported her church with her tithe and offering. She often said I don’t have but a few pennies, but I got to give God what I can. She loved Pastor and First Lady Livingston and talked about them all the time.

On January 30, 2018, Doretha suffered a fall at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church as she was boarding the church van. She suffered a broken hip and could no longer live alone. She was place In Cheraw Convalescent Center in Cheraw, South Carolina until her demise. While at the center she continued to have a strong faith and did not mind letting anyone know that she was saved and sanctified and Holy Ghost filled. She could be heard singing, praying and playing her harmonica for the other residents. As her health begin to decline, she was not able to do those things, but she loved talking about how good God had been to her. She would often tell her age and was proud to let anyone know that she asked God to let her live to be 100  and every year from her 90th birthday until her death she would say “The Lord has given me another year and I am getting closer to my 100.”

On Sunday August 23, 2020 She suffered a massive stroke that would lead to her being hospitalized and she departed this world to claim her mansion that Jesus made for her where He is. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but the memories of her will live on forever.

She is predeceased by her parents and brother, and is survived by relatives and friends who loved her dearly.

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