Funeral Home & Cremation Services Hosts Well Attended Open House at Newest Location
by Clarence Thomas, Jr. (thomasjr63@gmail.com), MGI Contributor
On June 14, 2017, Richard R. Robinson topped off a lengthy career in his dream job with the opening of Richard R. Robinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services LLC on Pio Nono Avenue in Macon. His desire to eventually expand his business at the time of that opening continued March 26 with an Open House at his third Middle Georgia location.
The newest edition — which opened officially in February — is at 2550 Shurling Drive and minutes away from Middle Georgia Memorial Gardens (3225 Joycliff Road). Robinson purchased the property in December 2022.
It’s also a hop skip and a jump from his beloved Fort Hill community in the other direction, where he grew up as a child on Woolfolk Street. It was there that he committed to being in the funeral business as a child and jump started his career at fifteen years old he shared in between hand shakes and hugs during the celebration. “I’m so happy the community has accepted us with such open arms. I’m so grateful for that,” Robinson said standing in the lobby of the mortuary.
The sparkling new location joins the original funeral home and a second on Russell Parkway in Warner Robins and is most impressive. The outside is elegantly designed and contains several amenities. Next to the lobby, a spacious Great Room complete with a large flatscreen TV over a cobblestone fireplace and surrounded by a comfortable sofa and chairs sets the facility’s tone. The furnishings are accompanied by space for repasses that include a kitchen with modern appliances. To the right of the kitchen is a decorative room where families can select the casket of their choice.
A hallway lined with numerous seats and decked out with exquisitely designed wooden tables lead to a multi-seated chapel. Public and private viewing rooms are also onsite. Robinson says he wanted to share his success with Macon residents on an occasion designed to be festive and accessible. “We did this to let the community know we’re here. This Open House was done to be transparent and available to the public,” he added.
Over two hundred guests from various walks of life turned out for the event. They were treated to free food, tours of the facility, and chances to win door prizes. Burton Harper’s son Matthew and Robinson were good friends as young boys. Robinson and the Harpers became very close as a result the elder Harper shared, making it a must for his family to attend the Open House. He’s proud of his son’s boyhood buddy and was overwhelmed with what he witnessed. “This is beautiful. I’ve never been to a funeral home this nice. This is a great blessing to Macon. You want someplace nice when bad things happen. This definitely fits that description,” he said with a big smile.
Harper was joined by notable members of the community including Macon-Bibb County Commissioner Elaine Lucas, former Macon City Councilman Thomas Hudson, Macon Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones, Reverend David Stanley of Union Baptist Church and his spouse, and Deacon Wallace Aside, known for his annual community giveaway of out-of-pocket money and gifts. Legendary Macon-Bibb County Deputy Coroners Ronnie and Lonnie Miley, who also serve as Funeral Directors for Robinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services LLC, paused for photos with their boss. Robinson joined the Mileys in February as another county Deputy Coroner.
Scores of Robinson’s thirty-five staff members were on hand as well including Monica T. Hall, another Funeral Director and Embalmer, who described the event as amazing. She is one of the company’s six Licensed Funeral Directors and six Embalmers. “This location is special. It’s catered to the full family. It makes them feel like they’re here to be taken care of by us,” she said.
Robinson also noted that while his latest funeral home is around the corner from his former employer Jones Brother’s Eastlawn Memorial Chapel, he anticipates peacefully and professionally co-existing as formidable Black owned and operated eastside mortuaries.
