The Rev. Margaret Owens Smith Robinson of 2251 Hosier Road, Suffolk, died Saturday, March 8, 2003, in Obici Hospital. She was a native of Nansemond County, and a daughter of Lenno Skeeter Owens, and the late Joe Thomas Owens. She was predeceased by her husband, Ed Central Smith, who in 1964 became the first African-American uniformed police officer in the city of Suffolk. She later married Ernest Robinson, who also preceded her in death. After marrying Mr. Robinson, she moved to Maryland where she lived for more than 25 years before returning to her home in Suffolk 5-1/2 years ago. She studied typing and keyboard. She retired as office manager for V&S Construction Company of Baltimore, Md. She had also been employed as a clerk for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, sales department of Grempler Real Estate in Maryland, sales associate at Belk’s/Leggett of Suffolk, and as a nurse.

She was a former member of East End Baptist Church, Suffolk, First Baptist Church of Elkridge, Md., and Friendship Baptist Church, Colorado Springs, Colo. She was a long-term member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Past Worthy Matron of the Calvary Chapter No. 32, 1975-76, and Grand Chaplain 1991-92. She was also a member of Zerrubbable Court No. 1, Heroines of Jericho, Prince Hall Affiliation, and Beausant Royal Court of Cyrene No. 1.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by a son, Edward C. Smith, and his wife, Valerie, of Pasadena, Md.; a daughter, Evelyn Smith Williams, and her husband, Ted, of Cary, N.C.; four sisters, Kathleen Simmons of Portsmouth; Lennora Skeeter and Gloria Perry, both of Suffolk; Marice Griffith, and her husband, Clyde, of Chesapeake; three brothers, Joe Henry Owens and Wesley Owens of Suffolk; Earl Eley of Chesapeake; three grandchildren, Shannon Victoria Smith and Edward Jordan Smith of Pasadena; Teodora Smith Williams of Cary, N.C.; a godson, Rodriguez L. Rodgers of Portsmouth; a longtime companion and devoted friend, William Hebron of Linthicum, Md.; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The funeral will be held at noon Thursday, March 13, in Mt. Ararat Christian United Church of Christ, conducted by the Rev. H.H. Murrell. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery.

A wake will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Crocker Funeral Home.

The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Thursday.