After 98 wonderful years, Mattie Deleon Cooper Robinson departed this earthly life. Mattie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and community servant. She was born on March 7, 1927, in Florence, SC. She was the daughter of the late James and Mattie Gregg Cooper and grew up in a loving family.

Mattie attended the public schools in Florence, SC and was a 1946 graduate of Wilson High School. During her studies she was an active student and participated in the Choral Club, American History Club, and New Homemakers Club. She also served as President of the Business Science Club, and was a member of the Purple & Gold staff. During her senior year, Mattie chose “Character is higher than intellect” as her yearbook quote, a truth she embodied during a lifetime of grace, goodness, and integrity.

Upon graduation, Mattie began work in textile production. She worked at Wentworth Manufacturing Company and La-Z-Boy. Her work ethic led her to a promotion to supervisor at Wentworth Manufacturing. Mattie retired after almost 40 years of work.

In 1946 she married Nelson “Tuddie” Robinson. To this union three children were born: Joan, Jackie, and Ann. Mattie was an involved parent. She was an officer of the Wilson High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association. She also supported her children’s extra curricular activities including choir, band, basketball and baseball. Mattie and Tuddie worked hard and were committed to educating their children. They proudly funded each child’s college education.

Mattie was a devout Christian and was baptized at an early age at St. Beulah Baptist Church in Florence, SC. After marriage, she joined her husband at Snow Hill Baptist Church. Mattie was a devoted member for almost 80 years, serving in the Snow Hill Home Missionary, Church Missionary, and Senior Choir. She also served as the Sunday School Treasurer, a Trustee's wife, and a Deaconess. In her later years, she was honored to be Mother of the Church.

Mattie cared about her church community and donated her time and resources to the church family and beyond. Further demonstrating her goodness, she transported people to and from church, visited the sick, and participated in weekly activities at the Athens, Clement, and Barnes Senior City-Recreation Centers of Florence. She made weekly visits to local nursing homes. Mattie was also a concerned citizen and fought to become a registered voter in the 1940’s. She voted consistently, casting her last ballot during the 2025 election cycle.

In May 1978, Mattie became a member of the Florence Chapter #65 Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member for almost 48 years and was actively involved until her health declined.

Mattie was a witty and wise woman. She loved crafts, games, fishing and the Atlanta Braves! She also cherished her family. She was heavily involved in her grandchildren’s lives, often taking them to ballet, piano, baseball, and band practices. Mattie also lived to see all of her grandchildren graduate from college.

As one of ten children, Mattie loved connecting with her sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins. For over 40 years Mattie hosted family and friends for dinner at her home on Sundays after church. She nourished many souls through her cooking, generosity, and fellowship. She also engaged in planning for both the Robinson and Andrews-Cooper-Gregg-Thomas (ACGT) Family Reunions. She enjoyed traveling to visit relatives across the country, attending forty-eight of the fifty annual ACGT Family Reunions. As the last remaining member of her siblings, Mattie found joy spending quality time with her extended family.

Mattie was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson “Tuddie” Robinson; son, Jackie Robinson; parents, James and Mattie Gregg Cooper, and siblings, Mazie Cooper, Mildred Rainey, James Cooper, Jr., Louise James, John Cooper, Orilee Simpson, Lester Cooper, Mary Collins and Walter “Thomas” Cooper.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Joan R. Bradley and Ann R. (Michael) Valrie; grandchildren, Quinten Bradley, Leonissa V. (Don) Johnson, Brandolyn Bradley, Teah Valrie, and Michael (Rachel) Valrie, II; great-grandson, Michael “MJ” Valrie, III; sister in laws, Delores Cooper and Wilhelmenia Jackson; two special grand-nephews, Marques Simpson and James “Chipper” Smith, II; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mattie will be remembered for the many ways she loved her family and community. Though she has gone from our earthly presence, she will forever remain in our hearts. We rejoice in the life she lived, the dedication she exemplified, and the legacy she left behind.

The family will receive friends at 2528 TV Road, Florence, Tuesday, February 10 - Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 3 PM - 7 PM.

Please keep the family of Mattie Deleon Cooper Robinson in your thoughts and prayers.