Robert Lewis Glenn's Obituary
Portrait of Life
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die;
The season came to a close for Robert Lewis Glenn on Thursday August 29, 2019.
Robert Glenn was born on December 31, 1933 to Samuel and Bessie (Dulin) Glenn in York County South Carolina. He attended Roosevelt High School in Clover, South Carolina.
Robert accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age and was baptized at Flat Rock Baptist Church in Clover, South Carolina.
On September 16, 1950, he met and married his teenage high school sweetheart, Eloise Dye, to this union they were blessed with three children.
In 1953 his job moved him to Louisville Kentucky where he worked with horses. He was soon drafted in the military in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After his training was complete, he was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington. In 1955 he moved his family to Tacoma, Washington. Upon arrival, he immediately found a church home for his family.
St John Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Dr. Joseph Andrew Boles Sr. became his family’s church. He loved going to church and was a faithful member. He attended Sunday school with his children, weekly prayer meetings and bible classes. He was an ordained deacon, taught Sunday school and the fathers of St John. He was the recipient of the title of St. John’s Father of the year in 1991. In addition, he also loved playing on the church soft ball team winning several trophies.
Robert went to work for Hess furniture store after he completed his service in the army. His performance during his years with Hess Furniture was commendable. His achievement was acknowledged by the Tacoma News Tribune as the first top Black salesman in the state of Washington.
Robert or (Bob) as he was called later started his own furniture store in a rented building under the name of “Glenn’s furniture” in 1969. By 1979, he purchased his own building on South Tacoma Way changing the name to “Good Furniture”.
In recognition of his outstanding efforts to make a difference in the community, Governor Mike Lowry, on behalf of the people of the State of Washington,
presented him with a “Certificate of Appreciation” , May 13, 1996. He was a successful business owner for over thirty five years.
Robert was preceded in death by his father and mother Samuel and Bessie (Dulin) Glenn, Son, Alphonzo Lewis Glenn, Great grandson, Jeremiah Garner, Foster Mother, Lora Jane Robinson, Brothers; Bill, John, J.W., Perry and Sam Glenn and sisters; Johnsie Brodhead , Lovenia N. Meeks and Queen Tolson. Sister in Law; Louise Wise Glenn.
He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife; Eloise (Dye) Glenn, daughters; Vernetta (Michael) Bird, Bellevue, WA. Phyllis (Keith) Shelton, Spanaway, WA. and Son; Kenny Glenn, Seattle, WA. Sisters: Ivory Graham, Gastonia, NC, Mary Pat Andrews, Worcester, Mass.
Sister and Brother –in Laws: Ozella Presley Gastonia, NC, Shirley and James Bigger, Agnes and Paul Moore, Gastonia, NC, Hazeline and David Dye, Charlotte ,NC, Jessie Jones, Hempstead, NY and Shirley Dye, Hollis, NY, Adopted sister Willie Jackson, Minneapolis, MN.
Granddaughters: Jajuana (Dwayne) Glenn-Berry Petersburg, VA., Tanita May, Bellevue, WA., and Kenetra Kemp, Seattle WA. Grandsons: Onzell (Erin) Glenn, Tyree (Heather) Glenn, Dashawn Glenn , Nathan Glenn, Tacoma, WA.
Great Grandaughters: Makayla Glenn, Tacoma WA, Ajiah Glenn, Australia, Alexandra May, Bellevue, WA., Ne’Chelle Kemp, Seattle ,WA and Kaytanna Kemp Seattle, WA. Great Grandsons: Treyvone Glenn, Tacoma, WA. , Avuanta Glenn, Tacoma, WA., Nehemiah Garner Petersburg, VA. and Ne’Undra Kemp, Seattle, WA
Goddaughters: Roslyan Childs and Whitney Mason. Godsons; Lonnie and Stephen Irons, Dominque Daniels; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
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