Life began for Lillye Pearl Robinson on April 20, 1947, in Whiteface, Texas. She was born to Roscoe Robinson and Josie Mae Howard and was the second of seven children. Pearl, as she was known, was educated in the Public School system in Lubbock, Texas where she graduated from Dunbar High School. The family moved from Texas to Colorado in the late sixties and Pearl set off on a storied path in fashion and beauty. She worked as a stylist for a good portion of her life from her home, for the Hewes family at Hunter's Beauty Salon, and at her own salon and boutique, The House of Pearl. She traveled and studied hair cutting, styling and chemical processing techniques in places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York and developed her own unique style in black hair movement that was remarkable, instantly recognizable, and quintessential Pearl. You knew when Pearl styled someone's hair because it moved, bounced, and just stood out like no other. Later in her career she attended the Community College of Aurora and received an Associate of General Studies. She put her education to use at Pickens Technical College in Aurora where she enjoyed immensely nurturing young minds while instructing cosmetology. She retired from Pickens after many years.
Pearl was multi-talented and a jack of all trades. She was a bartender. She was artistic, adventurous, creative, civic and community minded, and particularly skilled in all thing's beauty and fashion. She held in high regard her membership in the Elks and the Lady Lions. She and her closest friends from Colorado Charlotte Nelson, Yolanda Howard, Darlene Williams, and Shirley Baker (deceased) started their own community service-oriented club called the "Ladies of Distinction". She enjoyed arts and crafts where her artistic and creative nature allowed her to produce some exceptional pieces of work. She liked coloring, painting, beading, making flowers, pottery, jewelry, designing purses, t-shirts, all things turtle, and finding a way to incorporate her favorite colors red and black into as many of her works as possible. She also enjoyed playing bingo and reading. On many summer Saturday mornings for many years, she read and colored with the children of the Eastside Tennis Association. She loved organizing all kind of events, like fundraisers, fashion shows, fun outings, etc., and she loved spending time with her family. A treasured memory of her son, Hellian, was when she surprised him for his 21st birthday. He thought she had forgotten. He said, "that was the best birthday ever". Her grandchildren loved their grandma and will always have great memories of her telling them stories from her life, giving them advice, and just the quality time she spent with all of them.
Pearl went home to be with the Lord on the 10th of January 2023. She is preceded in death by both her parents Roscoe Robinson and Josie Mae Cooper, and her brother, Johnny Clemons. She leaves to cherish her memory sisters; Jessie Walker-Smith, Ella M Coney, Ella M Hart, Helen R Robinson, and Wanda S Robinson; two children a son, Hellian Robinson, and a daughter, Loretta Howard; 13 grandchildren; La'Darius Howard, Ty Evans, Lameisha Banks, LeAsia Robinson, Terrance Evans, Juwan Robinson, Isaiah Spikes, Malik Robinson, Braejon Spikes, Khyaire Robinson, Destinee Spikes, Nadiah Spikes, Aniyah Robinson; greatgrandchildren; Zy'n White, Bailey Johnson, Ivory Johnson, Jayana Johnson, and James Johnson as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, an uncle, and friends; best and longest friend in life Billie Russell of Lubbock, Texas and closest Colorado friends Charlotte Nelson, Yolanda Howard, and Darlene Williams who will miss her presence dearly.