
August 14, 1944 ~ December 1, 2007
A celebration of her life was held at West Bethel Baptist Church, Quarry Rd. Newnan, GA on December 22, 2007 at 6:00pm.
Memorial to Patricia Robinson
Good evening everyone. I want to thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate the life of Patricia Robinson.
I think most of you know me, I’m John McCollough. Pat was my Aunt, my mom’s sister; she was the 5th child and the third girl born to the Henry family. She was born August 14, 1944. Pat has two daughters, Teresa and Denise they both lived very close to their mom in Alabama. She also has four grandchildren, Jennifer, Lauren, Jessica, and Jon Jon as she called him. Pat always referred to Teresa and Denise as her girl babies even though they were grown with “girl babies” of their own. She loved them all and treasured them as the most precious gift she had ever received. Pat was 63 at her passing this past December 1st. Tonight we have come together to share the stories of a lady who found humor in almost everything in life. Pat loved toys and quirky gifts. She gave them and loved to get them. She joked, she played around and remained a kid at heart most of her life. Pat was a good one to have around if you weren’t a particularly good joke teller. She could help make a bad joke good just from her laughter and enthusiasm. Her daughter Teresa shared that sometimes it was frustrating when they were trying to get her to focus on important things she had to deal with, but later realized that that attitude was not so bad.
Pat always made you feel at home when you came to visit and would share with the world that you were her sister, niece or nephew or friend or whoever, it didn’t matter. She was proud of her family. Pat never met a stranger. She would help anyone that needed it. In fact, in the last few years she was known to help those that needed no help at all.
After a severe aneurysm in 2000 that nearly ended her life, it was like she was born again. She willfully shared how God had wrapped his arms around her and brought her through this tragic event. The doctors had given little hope that Pat would pull thru and were further amazed that she did so with little to no complications after the fact. Pat really began to find her purpose in life about this time. She went back to school and achieved her Certified Nursing Assistants certificate, and began really helping the people that needed it the most.
During periods of her life Pat struggled with alcohol. After the aneurysm Pat found a way to kick the habit. She joined AA. Through AA and her new faith in God she was able to overcome this powerful disease. She inspired others to follow suit and was a role model for those who were also challenged with this vice. Pat considered this newfound freedom her “new life” and she wasn’t a shame to tell you her story.
I heard this story about a time when the girls were very young back in LaGrange. One winter day Jackie, Gwenda and Pat were walking to school and it was really cold. Pat had a pair of gloves and the younger ones did not; so, she gave one glove to Jackie and one glove to Gwenda so they could carry their books with one hand and put the other in their pocket to stay warm. Pat did without.
When Pat was fifteen she worked part-time during the summer at Kress Co. and would walk home during her lunch hour just to make lunch for her younger sisters. There were times she had to spend her own money to buy the bread to make their lunch. The younger sisters looked up to their older sister because she took care of them and looked after them. That is an attribute she never lost.
We can all take a lesson from this ladies life. It’s as simple as this Live life, love life, love one another. Take your adversities and turn them into advantages.
If Pat were here today she would ask, how often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood?Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, or an insensitive person ruin your day? She would say, the mark of a successful person is how quickly he or she can get back his or her focus on what is important.
Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so: Love the people who treat you right... pray for the ones who don't.
Teresa told me that Pat was extremely excited about Christmas this year. I am sure she is rejoicing in Heaven tonight with her Mom, dad, her brothers, sister and the many others she knew. In front of you there are two sets of candles. The ones on your left represent the family circle with a light still burning for those that are still here. The ones on your right represent the family circle whose light is burning in Heaven. While we listen to the song I can only Imagine, Jackie and Gwenda will move the tribute candle for Pat to be rekindled with her family in heaven. Pat’s candle of light may have extinguished on earth, but she shares in everlasting light with the Father in heaven and joins with the other member’s of her family who have gone on before her.
Robin and Teresa share their thoughts about Pat. John reads a letter from Gwenda.
We all have our special memories of Pat and I think we can all agree she is very happy tonight. She is free from all pain and she’s singing with the angels. So as we think of her and the rest of her family, our family, as they rejoice, we ask,
"What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?"
Final prayer, Amazing grace on bagpipes
OBITUARY
Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc.
19698 Greeno Road Fairhope, AL 36532
Phone #: (251)990-7775 – Fax #: (251)990-7776
Patricia Ann Robinson, age 63, formerly of Newnan, GA, and a resident of Fairhope, AL passed away at the Thomas Hospital in Fairhope Saturday, December 1, 2007.
Ms. Robinson was a CNA for private home health for several years. Throughout her life she touched many lives and was an inspiration to many. She was a joy to all she met.
Preceded in death by her parents, O. D. and Lois Henry: Sister, June Hill; Brothers, Randall Henry and Danny Henry.
She is survived by her daughters, Teresa Carpenter (Mark) of Silverhill, AL and Denese Daugherty (Mark) of Creola, AL. Sisters, Martha Sumrall of Mandeville, LA, Jackie Ponder (Mannon) of Moreland, GA, Gwenda Boone (Gary) of Newnan, GA; and brother in-law Ernie Hill (June).
Grandchildren, Jennifer Parker, Lauren Carpenter, Jessica McCullough and John McCullough;
Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be held from Grace Church in Fairhope, AL Sunday December 9, 2007, at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a memorial be made to St. Pauls Methodist Church
St Pauls Cementery
% Mr. Wilkins
315 Highland Avenue
Carrollton Ga 30117
Condolences may be made on line at:
http://memoryofpatriciarobinson.blogspot.com/
My Mom
My Mom loved toys. She loved ice cream and candy. She loved to laugh. She loved to give “quirky” little gifts to make you smile. She loved and was very proud of her “girl babies”, her “grandbabies”, her family and friends (just ask anyone she met on the street). Most importantly, she loved and was proud of herself of all that she accomplished especially these last 7 years.
My Mom never really “grew up”. She had this child-like quality about her that at times could be maddening and at other times quite delightful. I did not always understand or appreciate this quality enough. This saddens me now for I am painfully aware that there is indeed in each of us a child that “never really grows up”. A child that sees the wonder of the world; that delights in the simple things in life; that loves to play, to laugh, and to cry when they are hurt. A child that loves to be taken care of…
I never thought of this child-like quality as a gift but now that she is not “here” I realize “my loss”. I realize that daily she was a reminder to me and those around her to never lose our child-like wonderment.
So in memory of my Mother, I encourage each of us to carry the torch of “never really growing up”. Enjoy life. Allow ourselves to laugh, to cry. Eat a little more ice cream. Buy a few “quirky” gifts. Most of all, allow ourselves to appreciate every day the special gifts and qualities given to us, to our family, and to all those who God chooses place in our life.
Mom I love you and miss you very much!
Your girl baby Teresa
I'm Spending Christmas With Jesus Christ This Year!
I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven's stars
Reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away that tear
For I'm spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear
But earthly music can't compare
With the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring
For it's beyond description
To hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me,
Trust God and have no fear
For I'm spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I can't tell you of the splendor
Or the peace here in this place.
Can you imagine Christmas
With our Savior, face to face?
May God uplift your spirit
As I tell Him of your love
Then pray for one another
As you lift your eyes above.
So let your hearts be joyful
And let your spirits sing
For I'm spending Christmas in Heaven
And I'm walking with the king!
by Wanda Bencke