We pause to celebrate the life of one so dear to our hearts. Her smile, her kindness, her love and dedication to her family and friends will forever be in our memories. Her influence will live on in the lives of those who were a part of her life and all the lives she touched. In Jade’s own words, “Family Over Everything” (FOE)!

 

Life Reflections

Dr. Jade Jihan Robinson was the daughter of Dr. James C. and Priscilla Glover Robinson. She was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina on September 12, 1986 and departed this earthly life on February 13, 2025. Her grandparents are the late Rev. James and Lillian Richburg Glover and the late Mr. Thomas Robinson and Dorothy Sweat Robinson.

In her early childhood, she dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized by her grandfather at Spring Hill Missionary Baptist in Eutaw Spring, South Carolina. She was educated in the Orangeburg County schools where she developed her passion and love for basketball. She was a member of the 2004 Orangeburg-Wilkinson Bruinettes’ Championship team winning 22 of their 24 games by double-digits. Jade was a key player in contributing to the team’s success in her senior year. While Jade was offered several scholarships in basketball and volleyball she chose her love, basketball. She furthered her education on a full basketball scholarship to Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia graduating in 2008 with a Bachelors of Science in Sports Management where she excelled in the classroom and on the court, serving as the Co-Captain of the Women’s Basketball Team. Jade would go on to receive her Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Central Michigan University in Marietta Georgia in 2010.  After completing her Masters, Jade worked with the City of Roswell, Georgia Parks and Recreation as an Assistant Recreation Supervisor from 2008 to 2010. She also served as the Recreation Leader for the Recreation Parks Division in the city of Marietta, Georgia from 2010 to 2013.

Jade returned to Orangeburg in 2013 as Senior Recreational Leader with Parks and Recreation for the City of Orangeburg. City residents still recall fondly the innovative programs and activities she implemented in her work with the city, to include free movie nights in the park. She also became co-owner of the family-owned auto body shop, Orangeburg Collision and Auto Solutions, providing excellence in customer service and care. Everyone who knew Jade, knew that she never met a stranger.

In August, 2018, Jade joined the faculty at South Carolina State University (SCSU) as an instructor in the Department of Health Science, College of Graduate Professional Studies.  Jade completed her Doctorate in Education specializing in Sport and Athletic Management from Northcentral University in Los Angeles, California in 2023. Dr. Robinson was promoted to Assistant Professor in 2024. She made significant contributions to the field of health education and the department. Jade transferred the same level of energy and passion she displayed on the basketball court to the classroom and quickly won the respect and admiration of her students and the other faculty and staff at SCSU. She was very inspirational in sponsoring the Health and Physical Education (HPE) Society at SCSU with a membership of more than 40 students.  The HPE Society did fundraisers to include a pajama party to attend the state conference in Myrtle Beach, SC for several years and made donations to community activities, like Trunk or Treat and Adopt a Highway. Jade was focused on the whole student and was committed to exposing her students to all facets of the health sciences. She guided students in their academic and personal development, providing them with a variety of opportunities to gain a better understanding of the breadth and depth of the field and the career options health education afforded them.  Dr. Robinson also participated on many university and departmental committees.  She was the co-sponsor for the Recreational Trust Ambassador program mentoring two student ambassadors. Jade was loved by her students and colleagues for the many productive departmental and classroom improvements she made.

In the community, Jade transformed the lives of many of the young people she coached and taught. She recognized in every life she touched the unique, untapped talents of each and exhausted her energy in bringing those talents to their fullest potential. She was the first female coach of a city league team to post an 8-0 season and as result was voted Coach of the Year for the City of Orangeburg. In 2017, Jade established Garden City Elite (GCE), an AAU traveling basketball organization for middle and high school girls and boys, serving as its CEO. GCE assists players with personal growth, sportsmanship, and resilience. Jade’s primary focus was on developing them as players and refining their skills as evidenced in the success of her teams as they have won over 80 tournaments and 3 national championships. She took her first girl’s team to their first ever national championship appearance where the team placed second.

Dr. Robinson has been recognized for her accomplishments as a rising star in the community. Jade was honored as one who made a difference in Orangeburg County in the Class of 2023 Juneteenth 40 under 40 for her creative talent in working with the youth in the community; and for her entrepreneurial business skills as one of Orangeburg’s successful business owners.  She was also initiated into the Orangeburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in Fall 2020.

Dr. Jade Jihan Robinson was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend. Those left to cherish her fond memories are her mother and father, Dr. James C. and Priscilla Glover Robinson of Bowman, South Carolina; her brothers, Mr. Jamaal (April) Robinson of Charlotte, North Carolina and Mr. Joel Perrin Robinson of Orangeburg, South Carolina; her devoted life partner, Ms. Aliya Summerville, Orangeburg, South Carolina; their two fur babies, Melo and Luna Robinson, Orangeburg, South Carolina; a special sister, Ms. Vikki Sheppard (Tyrone), Orangeburg, South Carolina; nieces Ms. Amirah Robinson of Columbia, South Carolina, Ms. Joliyah Robinson of Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Ms. Janaan Robinson of Charlotte, North Carolina; six nephews Spc.Christopher Robinson of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Mr. Khalid Robinson of Columbia, South Carolina, and Mr. Jovon Robinson of Orangeburg, South Carolina; Mr. Jackson Sheppard and Mr. James Sheppard, Orangeburg, South Carolina; her aunt Ms. Olivia Glover of Orangeburg, South Carolina; her uncles Reverend Samuel Bernard (Dr. Saundra H.) Glover of Orangeburg, South Carolina and Mr. Thomas E. (Pat) Robinson of Fort Myers, Florida; her Godmother Ms. Patricia (Pat) Blume, of Orangeburg, South Carolina; as well as a host of cousins, other relatives and dear friends.

The service will proceed as follows:

The viewing will be held on Friday, February 21,2025 at Glover's Funeral Home from 1:00pm until 6:00pm.

An Omega Omega Service will be held on Friday, February 21,2025 at Glover's Funeral Home from 6:00pm until 7:00pm.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 22,2025 at Orangeburg Wilkinson High School Gymnasium 601 Bruin Parkway Orangeburg, SC 29115 beginning at 11:00am. All those attending service must wear a mask and adhere to all COVID-19 rules and regulations.