Honoring the Life of Ruth Cornelia Medoria Robinson-Hill

 

Ruth Cornelia Medoria Robinson-Hill was born May 26, 1929 in Camden, South Carolina.  She was the only child born to Mary Thompson-Robinson and John Wesley Robinson.  At the age of 5 Ruth's mother died; therefore, she was raised by her devoted Grandparents Bessie K and Butler Thompson. 

At the age of 7, Ruth moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and lived with her devoted Aunt Amelia Thompson.  She graduated from West Philadelphia High School, then continued her education at Harlem Hospital School of Nursing in New York City and graduated in 1951.  Ruth started working at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA in 1951 as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.  She practiced nursing for 24 years before retiring due to hearing loss.  She continued to work in private health care until the age of 60, when she retired. 

Ruth was married to James Edward Gaskins Sr.  Through this union she had 3 sons, James Edward Jr., David and Steven Gaskins .

In July of 1963, Ruth married the love of her life Elmer Matthew Hill, and through this union they had a son, Drake Matthew Hill.  Their love was built on trust and faith.  Together, they raised 4 sons, James, David, Steven Gaskins, and Drake Matthew Hill.  Ruth instilled in her sons how to be Men, to Love One Another, and to treat others the way you want to be treated.  She always emphasized the importance of looking out for one another and keeping in touch with each other.

Ruth, Elmer, and Drake moved from Philadelphia, PA to Hayward, CA in 1977 to be with her 3 sons.  She moved back to Philadelphia in 1978 due to her Husband Elmer’s illness.  Ruth and Elmer then purchased a home in Landrum, South Carolina in 1979, where they lived until his death.  She then moved back to Hayward, CA in 1996 to again be with her sons. 

Ruth loved praying, and religiously, prayed three times a day giving God the glory.  Ruth was baptized in her early adult life and became a member of Greater St.  Matthew Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.    When she lived in South Carolina, she was a member of St Luke.  CME Church in Tryon, N.C., where she served as the Director of Christian Board of Education, sang in the choir, served as Stewardess, Usher and Missionary.  While living in Hayward, she resided at the Josephine Lum Lodge Citizen Association from 2006- 2009.  In March of 2002, she joined Bethel Baptist Church of Union City , CA under the leadership of Pastor George M.  Gaskins, Jr.  She was selected to be one of Bethel’s Church Mothers, where she served as an inspiration of strength, wisdom and dedication to her church family.  She was a source of encouragement to individuals on the church prayer list and would send them inspiring words of faith and love in a note or a card. 

One of her hobbies was to read her favorite book, the Bible. 

She loved to entertain guests in her home or at her birthday parties which she called a, “Chat and Chew.”

Ruth enjoyed sewing; she would make beautiful kitchen curtains for her church fellowship hall and festive swags for the crosses in the Sanctuary at Christmas time.  If you needed any alterations, Ruth would alter your garment professionally.  She also loved crocheting, knitting and making angels. 

She departed this life on March 13, 2025, and was proceeded in death by her mother Mary Thompson-Robinson, father John Wesley Robinson, grandparents Bessie K., and Butler Thompson, aunt Amelia Thompson and uncle, Cornelius Thompson, husband Elmer Matthew Hill, sons James Edward Gaskins Jr, and Steve Gaskins, and grandchildren, Eric C. and Adrian Gaskins; brother- In-Laws Arthur Jackson of Bridgeton, NJ, and Floyd Burton of Ardmore, PA.

Ruth passed away peacefully in the arms of her two sons, and left to cherish her memory, her devoted sons David Gaskins (Denise) of Hayward, CA and Drake Matthew Hill of Union City, CA; grandchildren Amber Rose, and Ashley Ruth of Pittsburg CA, great grandchildren, Lavender Denise Gaskins-West and Ashten David Gaskins-West of Pittsburg CA, brother -In-Law Louis Burton (Betty) of Philadelphia, PA and a host of Cousins and devoted extended family and friends. 

 

Services for Mother Ruth Hill are as followed:

Quiet Hour Thursday, March 27, 2025  at Grissom's Chapel and Mortuary 267 E Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo, CA

4:00pm -7:00pm

Homegoing Celebration Friday, March 28, 2025 at Bethel Baptist Church of Union City 4216 Dyer Street Union City, CA 

Public Viewing 10:00am -10:50am

Service 11:00am

Internment:

Mt. Eden Cemtery 2440 Depot Rd.

Hayward, CA 

Care has been entrusted to Grissom's Chapel & Mortuary.