Mary LaQuita Robbins

MARY LAQUITA JOHNSON ROBBINS, affectionately known as “LaQuita” was born on May 5, 1932 and departed this life at age 85 at 2:40 P.M. on May 3, 2018 in San Diego, California.

LaQuita came into this world in Forman, Arkansas to the late Bennie J. Harris-Graham and Earle Johnson, who relocated with their baby girl to Hope, Arkansas. During her time in Hope, LaQuita graduated from Yerger High School, worshiped at Lonoke Baptist Church and sang in the choir.

In 1950, LaQuita gave birth to daughter, Charlotte Juanita Shaw, the love of her life. Eventually, LaQuita and Charlotte left Hope and moved to San Diego, CA. For many years, she was a care provider for the family of Wayne and Edith-Helen Monsees. LaQuita was also very involved in her community, and ultimately, her activism got her noticed. She went to work for the City of San Diego in 1970 and retired in 1991. After her retirement, then Mayor Susan Golding appointed her as a member to the City of San Diego Human Relations Commission.

LaQuita had a passion and zest for life, travel, and for the Buffalo Soldiers. Most of all, she believed in giving back through her volunteerism. Active and influential in her community, LaQuita was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, a founding member of the Martin Luther King Democratic Club, a member of The League of Women Voters of San Diego, and a member of The Fair Housing Council of San Diego. She also served as a Family Court Monitor for many years, so that children could have visitation with their parents.

LaQuita was a unique pillar in our community, a courageous woman and bold activist. She was well known for her involvement and recruitment of an array of adults and young millennials hoping to get their perspective on educational needs, employment and other concerns within the community. LaQuita was quick to find assignments for you to get back to her on. Later, you would discover she had it all planned and had made you think it was your idea. She will truly be missed by all of her adopted children in the community. Memories of LaQuita will forever live in our hearts.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Marcus James Shaw; husband, Melton Robbins, her most beloved grandmother, Mary Tyus Johnson and five siblings, Martha Jean Abraham, Rose Ann Loyd, Richard Johnson, Muriel Marshall and Marcus Earl Johnson.                

LaQuita is survived by her loving daughter, Charlotte (Philip); her life partner, Charles McAdory (aka Mac); adopted daughters, Michelle Price and Maddie Oden; godson Marcus Oden; sister and brothers, Kathleen Johnson-Offutt of San Diego, CA and Frank Johnson and T.C. Johnson, both of Chicago, IL; nieces, Paula Offutt, Kamilah Offutt, Vrana Anderson, Lynn Rosebur, Roshanne Loyd and Yolanda Johnson; nephews, Wichai Johnson, Weethorn Johnson; and Madison Miles and his children; cousins, Charles Green, Bill Tyus, Jean and Lawrence Hicks; in-laws, the Robbins Family; her sisters-in-life, Jean Miles and Nobie Cummings; close friends, Patrick Brandon, Gwen Pamplin, Maria Castro and Francis Bumpus; and her favorite cousin, Hershel; all of her community children who were part of her life when they needed another mom; her Jamaican family, along with a host of other family and friends.

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