Cora Richmond

Cora Bernadene Richmond (Robinson), age 85 of Clayton, OH, passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Ohio's Hospice of Dayton. She was born February 3, 1938 in the small town of Crossville, Tennessee, the daughter of Leslie and Lila (Wyatt) Robinson. She married Lee Richmond on March 2, 1957.

Born into a family of ten children, she would attend the Baker's Crossroads elementary school in Crossville, Tennessee, playing basketball after school. Later, she would attend the Cumberland County High School, where she graduated in 1956. During her time in high school, she worked for her aunt Cora Lee, helping with housework and making dinner (with fancy deserts), while working in her beauty shop on Saturdays.

Her life would change after moving to Dayton, Ohio, while living with her brother JB and his wife Rosemond. There, she met Lee Richmond, her future husband, who had been living with his sister Ruth and nephew Robert. Curious about Lee, she talked to Robert to "get the scoop" on his situation, and ultimately ended up dating and then marrying him in 1957. Following this, their daughter Belinda and son Tim were born in 1957 and 1960, respectively.

Continuing her passion in hair dressing, she attended the Richard Weston School of Beauty Culture in Dayton to study Cosmetology in 1961. The instructors there were very impressed with her book work and hair styling skills. She would often cut and style the instructor's hair, who persuaded her to seek extra training for her manager's license. For a brief time, Cora worked at a beauty shop within the highly trafficked North Dixie Traffic Circle. There, she mainly cut hair for family and friends. In later years, she would work briefly at the Inland Manufacturing Division of GM and Chrysler Airtemp plants.

Cora was a homemaker, wife, and mother for many years. She enjoyed watching TV with her family, including her favorites of Wheel of Fortune, country music shows (The Grand Ole Opry), and Dallas. She loved when her family would get together, especially at pig roasts, and holiday gatherings. She also enjoyed cake decorating, and taking multiple vacations to Canada, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, Phoenix, and South Carolina with close family.

After Lee had passed in 2017, she lived in Grace Brethren Village of Englewood, Ohio, where she made many friends and enjoyed activities such as trivia, puzzles, movie watching, and especially winning "goodies" as she called them (candy treats) during bingo and card game nights. She had loved many different types of music, and singing the lyrics to songs as they played. She would always have her cassette tapes and CD/cassette player close by. More than anything, Cora loved her family dearly and will be greatly missed by all.

Cora is survived by her two children, daughter Belinda (Bill Oliver) and son Tim (Sandra); grandsons Ian and Nicholas; brothers Charles Robinson and Thomas Robinson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Frankie Robinson, James (Sue) Robinson, JB (Linda) Robinson, and George Robinson; sisters Christine (Vinson) Vaughn, Linda (Jerry) Ashburn, and Sue (Pete) Ramey.

A visitation will be held August 15, 2023 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, at Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Road, Dayton, OH 45424. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home beginning at 1:00 pm, followed by burial at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens, 11890 North Dixie Drive, Tipp City, Ohio 45371. A gathering for family and friends will be held at Marion's on the North Dixie Traffic Circle after the graveside service.

Memorial contributions are requested to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton and Grace Brethren Village (Englewood, Ohio).

To leave a condolence message, please click on the "Share Memories" button.