Lafayette Robeson

Lafayette Moore Robeson was born in Detroit, MI on December 13th, 1946, to Earleen and Lafayette Houston Robeson. They raised their family in Eastpointe, with Lafayette as the big brother to Annette, Janet and Denise. Laf would fondly recall that he enjoyed sports while growing up. He played football and baseball. Laf particularly loved baseball and enjoyed watching baseball games of any age group.

During the Vietnam war when so many of his peers were being drafted to the military, Laf made the decision to enlist in January 1968. Laf served his country as an Army infantryman and was deployed to Vietnam. Laf loved his country and was a patriotic citizen.

Upon his return home from Vietnam, he entered the catering industry, where he worked for more than 25 years. Laf could prepare food for 800 people for events and translated that same level of hospitality in his own home. Laf could often be found in the kitchen, cooking dinner or treats for his family. Later in his career, Laf became an accomplished pastry chef, known for his attention to detail and fanciful desserts. Laf always enjoyed woodworking, which allowed him to demonstrate his same attention to detail in a different way.

Laf married Joy Robeson (Card) on December 22nd of 1990. They were thrilled to bring Hannah into the world in August of 1992. Joy, Laf and Hannah became a party of three, enjoying many weekends camping, long trips exploring the country and laughs at the dinner table. Laf loved being a father and adored Hannah, always striving to give her the best life.

Shortly after Hannah's birth, Laf switched his career to spend more time with his family. Laf was able to spend his time doing finished carpentry full time, which was his ultimate passion. Laf was able to build beautiful cabinets and furniture. He also enjoyed restoring furniture and could bring just about any piece back to life if it was made of wood. After moving to Grand Ledge in 2020, Laf found the local Ace Hardware. He spent so much time there, the management decided to recruit him for a job. Laf got enjoyment from helping people find what they needed for their projects and applying his knowledge in service of other people. Laf took great pride in his work, in whatever vocation, and worked his whole life until his health declined.

Laf is survived by his loving wife, Joy Robeson; daughter, Hannah (Beau) Idalski; sisters, Annette (Jim) Church and Denise Warnack; brother-in-law, Daniel (Mary) Card; nephews, Kevin (Natalie) Warnack, Justin (Janelle) Warnack, Steven (Caitlin) Card, and Tom (Lauren) Card; niece, Lindsay Card; 7 great nephews and 1 great niece. He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister Janet.

Laf was mostly a quiet and steady man with a wonderful, dry sense of humor. He could always make his wife and daughter chuckle through life's challenges. Laf was a man of God who was serious about his faith. He had a strong belief in Jesus and His promises. Laf's spirit of service and kindness touched all that he encountered, and he will be dearly missed by those who love him.

A Funeral Service will take place Friday, August 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. with a visitation from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. at Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, 301 E. Jefferson St, Grand Ledge, MI 48837; Laf will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI. Contributions can be made in loving memory of Lafayette Robeson to Tunnel to Towers, https://t2t.org/donate/

For online condolences please visit www.millsfuneral.com

To watch the tribute video follow the link below.

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/6RY2RQC5YFM9HB94