Mary Frances Hankins Robinson

Mary Frances Doyle Hankins Robinson, age 82, of Eden, received God’s Heavenly Embrace at Hospice Home in Wentworth, North Carolina on Sunday October 8, 2017. 

A graveside service will be held 11 am on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at Ridgeview Memorial Gardens.  A visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 6 - 7:30 pm at Fair Funeral Home and other times at her home on 513 Moir Street.

Survivors include her husband of 49 years Thomas A. Robinson, daughters Elaine Wise and husband David, Valerie Tilley and husband Mike, Susan Robinson Arrington, Debbie Robinson Landrum; grandchildren Alex Wise, Andrew Tilley, Nick Tilley, Kristen Robinson, Randy Robinson; great-grandchildren Kayla, Chase, Jessiee, Skyler; Stella Wise; her loving kitty Patches; and life-long friend Carolyn Pendergraft Ferguson.

Mary Frances was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on March 16, 1935, the daughter of Ernest and Mary Ann Doyle. She was preceded in death by her parents and son Ernest (Ernie) Clifton Robinson. Her education included Holmes High School in Covington, Kentucky, and Georgetown Baptist College in Georgetown, Kentucky, where she received degrees in English, history, and music. While at Georgetown, she was an active member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, an organization in which she made life-long friends.

During her 33 year teaching career, Mary Frances positively affected the lives of her students in the following schools: Ruffin High School, Leaksville Junior High, Wentworth High School, Bethany High School, North Spray Elementary, Draper Junior High School, John Motley Morehead High School, Rock Hill High School (South Carolina), and Stone Middle School where she taught English, Latin, history, and science. As a teacher, Mary Frances had a true passion for her students and instilled the importance of education in each student who entered her classroom; as a result, her students admired and respected her.

Mary Frances was an incredibly creative lady. In addition to her love of teaching, Mary Frances expressed her creativity through writing poetry and short stories, several of which were published. She competed in the Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival and won several awards. Also, Mary Frances spent numerous hours with a good book in her hands, reading seven or eight books weekly. Music was another of her interests. Mary Frances played the piano and appreciated listening to a variety of music. She had a true “green thumb” and spent hours in her flower garden with a special love for lily of the valley, violets, and roses. After living in Kentucky, Mary Frances anticipated viewing the Kentucky Derby each year, an event which provided her great entertainment and fond memories of the time she lived there.

After her retirement, Mary Frances continued substitute teaching and volunteered for Hospice of Rockingham County where she devoted many caring hours during the years. In 1990, she was recognized as Volunteer of the Year. Her concern and loving nature for the patients and their families was obvious to all and her service greatly appreciated.

Being an active church member was an essential part of Mary Frances’s life. She attended and grew up in Spray Baptist Church where  she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized as a young girl. Later, she became an active member of First Baptist Church in Eden and in earlier years, she played the piano for the Children’s Junior Department where she also taught Sunday School, helped in the nursery, taught Girls in Action and Acteens – a mission organization for girls and teens. She coordinated the Bereavement Ministry and willingly assisted many families throughout the years.

The most important aspect of Mary Frances’s life was her beloved family. Nothing made her any happier than baking cookies with her young children and teaching them how to cook as adults; in fact, collecting cook books and trying new recipes was a great passion of hers. Always, her children and their needs came first. She showered them with all of the love and support they could ever need as she was their rock, encourager, cheerleader, and the perfect role model. Never was the family without good food, even in the winter, due to her canning and freezing during her summer break. Pretty dresses and costumes were worn by her daughters, although rarely purchased at stores, but instead sewn with love by their Mom. Her strong faith and constant prayers provided an invaluable spiritual foundation for her children. Mary Frances set a beautiful example of contributing to local and foreign missions alike, even though she never fulfilled her dream of participating in foreign missions.

Special Thanks are extended to Hospice of Rockingham County and all of the Staff, Dr. Vyas and Keavie of Eden Internal Medicine, and special, caring friends who assisted during her brief illness.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, Eden Public Library, First Baptist Church of Eden, The Baptist Children’s Home of North Carolina, the Rockingham County Humane Society, or the Rockingham County Animal Shelter in lieu of flowers.

May we remember that God encircles us with golden rays of light to encourage and love us.

Always, Mary Frances will remain in our hearts, and we will love and miss her!!!!!

Online condolences may be offered at www.fairfuneralhome.com