The Rev. John Francis Robinson, 92, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather departed this life to be with his Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011.
He was born in Chester County, S.C., on Jan. 9, 1919. He was a graduate of Mercer University, Macon, Ga., and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He had a long and varied career beginning with service on the Seaboard Railway. Prior to entering the ministry, he served in the U.S. Army, throughout World War II. As a combat veteran, he received various medals and citations, including the purple heart and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. He was privileged to serve his Lord as a minister for 61 years. He pastured churches in Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina. Since retiring from the Pittsboro Baptist Church in 1985, he served as interim pastor in 19 different churches. He also served as associate chaplain at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville. He was an active member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. In addition to his love for the Lord and his family, he retained a special interest in railroading. This hobby began in childhood and progressed with the passing years. He was a member of the Cape Fear Railroaders Association and the National Railway Historical Association.
The Rev. Robinson was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Timmons Robinson; a sister, Mary Robinson Keilholtz; and a brother, Broadus Alexander Robinson Jr.
The Rev. Robinson is survived by his wife, Annie M. Chason Spears Robinson; a son, John Timmons Robinson and his wife, Susan, of Raleigh; and two stepsons, Dr. Philip Y. Spears and wife Beverly of Stedman, and Gregory C. Spears of Fayetteville; four grandchildren, Stephen and wife Sheridan Robinson, Bryan and wife Jamie Robinson, Carter Spears, and Winfree and husband Will Brisley; a great-granddaughter, Brooke Robinson.
A memorial service will be in the sanctuary of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, 2011. The family will receive friends in the gathering hall of the church from noon to 1:45 p.m. Burial will be held at Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey Street.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Snyder Memorial Baptist Church; or the Chason Spears Robinson Scholarship fund of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Forth Worth, Texas.
Service entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory of Fayetteville.