Barbara Ann Robinson

Published 8:02 pm Monday, December 16, 2024

Barbara Ann (Bond) Robinson, mother, educator, civic woman, and friend to many, passed away on the 8th of December 2024, in Smithfield, Virginia. Her life was proof that big angels come in small packages.

 Barbara, known as Babs, when she was younger, was born on 10 February 1935, in Reynolds, Georgia. Her parents, H.C. and Minte, raised her there. Barbara has extended family throughout Taylor County and South Georgia. She attended elementary through high school in Reynolds. Barbara was a varsity women’s basketball player and cheerleader. She was also a competitive tennis player and a lifeguard. There are many residents of Taylor County today who Barbara taught to swim. Barbara was a proud alumna of Auburn University, class of 1957 and a member of the Phi Mus sorority. After graduation she married the love of her life, Charles W. “Bill” Robinson. The two of them settled in Dunwoody, Georgia, towards the end of Bill’s 30-year military career and came to consider it home.  

 As an Army Officer’s wife, Barbara was noted for her leadership, commitment, service to others and hospitality. Wherever she was she made a home for her family and the local community better. She always found time for volunteer work, chapel service, music, art and hospitality. It was during this time Barbara became known as the “Hostess with the Mostest.”

 After settling in Dunwoody, Barbara became an educator. She started out teaching science at Dunwoody High School where she was recognized for excellence and being a mentor to students and younger colleagues. While teaching full time, she also finished her master’s and post professional certifications at Georgia State Collage, focusing on Special Education and administration. She became a special educator and rose to be a supervisor, manager and leader in the DeKalb County School system.

 Dunwoody became home to Barbara. She was active in a myriad of clubs, organizations and activities which served the community. Among these were the Woman’s Club, the Spruill Art Center and Gallery, and the Nature Center. She was also active in events such as Lemonade Days. In the end she was working to provide an expanded performing arts center for Dunwoody.

 Barbara was a woman of faith who served the Dunwoody United Methodist Church. She was active in the choir and music program, supporting youth programs, and myriad other aspects of church life and ministry. She represented DUMC at the General Assembly several times and dealt with controversial issues in a loving, patient and compassionate way. Her basic principle was that God calls us to love one another and live in unity.

 Most of all Barbara Robinson loved her family. Barbara spent the last three years of her life with her husband and sons in Virginia. Barbara is survived by her sons Charles William Jr (Sherry) and Richard Allen, four grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and a great granddaughter. Barbara was able to spend time with all of them in her last years. She is survived by her twin brother, Donald E. Bond, of Reynolds. On Barbara’s last day she was with family.

 There will be a small memorial service at Benns United Methodist Church, on 21 December 2024, at 1100. The address is 14571 Benns Church Blvd, Smithfield, VA 23430. The main service will be on the 18th of January 2025 at Dunwoody United Methodist Church at 1100. The address is 1548 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338.

 In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you consider making a donation in her memory to one of Barbara Robinson’s two favorite causes. These are the Dunwoody United Methodist Church https://www.dunwoodyumc.org/ways-to-give/ or the Spruill Center for the Arts https://www.spruillarts.org/donate/ Online condolences maybe registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.