Robena Gorham

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelations 21:4 Robena Gorham was born August 30, 1948 in Washington, North Carolina to the late Johnie Sam Gorham and the late Lillie Jane Jones Gorham. Robena was the youngest of eleven Gorham children. She entered her eternal life on October 3, 2020 under the loving care of Waterbrook Assisted Living. Robena accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior at an early age and was baptized at the Triumph Missionary Baptist Church of Washington, NC. For many years, she served Triumph faithfully as the secretary of the usher board and Sunday School. Robena remained very active in her church until her illness prevented her from serving. Robena was educated in the Pitt County School System in Greenville, NC. While reading was a true passion and favorite pastime, she also had a heart for serving and supporting others. While a student at C.M. Epps High School, Robena helped fellow classmates, Annie Miller, Shelia Laughinghouse and Estella Maye Spencer, find employment in Atlantic City, NJ to save money for college. Robena was also a trailblazer. She was the first African American chosen to attend the NC Governor’s Gifted Program in Winston Salem, NC and earned the distinct honor of salutatorian for the C.M. Epps High School class of 1965. Following in the footsteps of her older siblings, Robena attended North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, NC, graduating with Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and chemistry in 1971. While at A & T, Robena became an active and passionate member of the Alpha Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Robena was proceeded in death by her parents and four siblings, Arlester, Victor Emmanuel, DeRoy and Zelma Lee. God had a plan for Robena and her big brother DeRoy. They both were born on the same day, August 30th and they both departed their earthly life on October 3rd. Robena leaves to cherish the fond memories of her life, her brothers, Reverend Johnie Gorham, Arnold Roosevelt (Erma) Gorham, Robert Earl (Yvonne) Gorham; sisters, Lottie Romaine, Lillie V. Gorham, and Martha Bernice Gorham; one sister-in-law, Joan Gorham (DeRoy); a dedicated cousin, Doris Cox; a host of loving nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1

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Robena Gorham

August 30, 1948 - October 3, 2020