Josephine Robertson

Josephine Robertson (76) passed away on May 7, 2024. Her interment will be held on May 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery (34024 Veterans Memorial Dr, Adel, IA 50003). Visitation will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory (82010 Hickman Rd. Urbandale, Iowa 50322) until 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will accompany the visitation at 1:00 p.m.

Josephine Small was born on January 17th, 1948, in New Brunswick, NJ to Louise Johnson and Joseph Small. She was tenderly called “My Woman” by her late husband Big Rob. Close friends and family called her ‘Josie’, co-workers called her ‘Jo’, but we her children called her ‘Mommy’ and Maw Maw!

On May 7th, 2024, Josie peacefully received her crown surrounded by family and friends at Harmony Nursing Home where she was cared for by Suncrest Hospice Care.

At a young age Josie was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost under the leadership of Eld James Wotcher in Sumerset, NJ, where she taught Sunday School and was on the Usher board. Josie graduated from Franklin high school in 1967. On January 15, 1971, Josie married the love of her life Gerald Robertson and they moved their family from New Jersey to California.

She continued to practice her spiritual beliefs in California, where she attended a church of the Apostolic faith under the pastorship of Eld Thomas Brown and Mother Deloris Brown in Redwood City, California. While in California she started her educational journey receiving multiple certificates in business administration.

In 1979 her brother Lester Small invited the family to Des Moines, Iowa and they soon fell in love with the city’s laid back and peaceful atmosphere. Continuing her education, she attended Des Moines Area Community College where she received her AA in Graphic Arts.

In 1980 Josie received a telephone call from a lady named Karen Helmon who was randomly going through the phone book inviting people to church, witnessing for the lord. She decided to take her up on her offer and attended Sunday morning service where her soul was fed and rejoicing. Soon after Josie decided to put her membership under the pastorship of Dr. Jeremiah Reed, then pastor of Christ Apostolic Temple.

While at Christ Apostolic Temple she became an Ordained Minister, Sunday school teacher, usher, and secretary of the usher board, secretary of the Women’s dept, over the Holy Ghost room where many souls were saved, over the bulletin committee, hospitality committee, choir member, Deaconess, kitchen staff for Saturday dinners, van driver, Notary Public, worked with the youth in the church, wrote church plays and poetry, loved taking the church members to various appointments, and writing letters of importance. She was assistant Pastor to Bishop Jeremiah Reed and answered a call to Pastor in Fort Dodge, Iowa and she swiftly returned home. She worked in the church and served people until her illness rendered her unable. She was often visited by the Ministers and Members of Christ Apostolic Temple, friends, and family.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Small and Louise Small, Husband Gerald “Big Rob” Robertson, Son Jerro Robertson, Brother Sylvester Small, Brother Ronald Small, Brother Lester Small. Left to cherish her memory are Son Darnell (La Toya Taylor) Robertson Sr, Daughter Trecia (Frank) Leachmon Jr, Daughter Karah Robertson (Randall) Higgins. Grand Children Frank III (Franky), Christopher, James, Michelle, Le Azhane, Randall, Hannah, Sean, , Jeremiah (Jay), Darnell Jr (DJ) Tae’lur. Great Grand Children La Nyah Adrianna, Lorenzo, Lloyal, Sufyaan, a host of God-children and beloved family and friends.