James B. Robinson (Jim), 91, of Beech Glen Community, Mars Hill passed peacefully on Saturday, December 27, 2014 with family by his side at John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center.
Jim was a native and lifelong resident of Madison County, born on February 15, 1923 to Jeter and Myrtle Hensley Robinson. In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his wife Louise H. Robinson (November, 2011) brothers; Jack, Max and Emory Robinson and sister, Evelyn Austin. Jim was the fourth in a large family that included Jim’s seven siblings.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Jane H. Robinson (Ron Dame) of Asheville and son, Chris L. Robinson of the home, his sisters; Dorothy R. Huff of Mars Hill, Betty Wells of Leicester and brother, David L Robinson of Morganton, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Jim spent his life working the land and providing for his family except for the time that he served in the US Navy along with his brother Emory during WWII. He and Louise established their home in the Beech Glen Community in 1948, with both remaining in their home until shortly before their respective passing.
Jim was known throughout Madison County as an honest and fair man who would do whatever he could to help his fellow man and that love was returned to him many times over. Jim was literally a pillar of the community and rarely, if ever, said “no” to anyone. Jim loved his life, his wife and his children and did anything he could to ensure the best for them throughout the years. Jim was one of the oldest members of Beech Glen Baptist Church until his passing, having joined in 1948 and remained an active member until his health declined in recent weeks.
Jim was a devoted and loving caregiver to his wife during the years (10) of her illness with Alzheimer’s until her passing in 2011. Jim never wavered from his devotion to his wife of 63 years.
In addition to farming for over 70 years, Jim also worked for many years at the Mars Hill Post Office and everyone in Mars Hill and the surrounding area knew and loved him for his generous spirit and good humor. Jim was also very generous with bounty from his multiple gardens, especially his corn, beans and tomatoes. People drive for miles to be a recipient of his delicious corn as it was planted and nurtured with love.
Despite working as many at 10-15 hours a day for many years, Jim still found time for a true passion, being an integral part of his beloved Bald Creek Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. Jim was also a life member along with being a Past District Deputy Grandmaster. Jim was called on over many years to conduct the Masonic funeral rites of his fellow brethren which he did with perfection, the last being for his until, Joe E. Hensley early in 2014.
Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, January 1, 2015 from 5 – 7 PM at Blue Ridge Funeral Service. A celebration of Jim’s life with take place on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the funeral home with Reverend Stanley Peek and Reverend Josh Hughes conducting the service. Interment and graveside service will follow immediately at Mars Hill Cemetery with both Masonic (#397 AF&AM) and VFW (Mars Hill Post #5483) graveside rites.
Chris, Jane and Ron would like to thank the wonderful and loving staff of Madison County Home Care and Hospice, John F. Keever Solace Center for the care given to Jim. In addition, Chris, Jane and Ron offer their profound thanks and gratitude to Bald Creek Masonic Lodge, the Mars Hill VFW as well as numerous others, including Sherry Ledford, lifelong friends Max and Eileen Gibbs, neighbors Arthur & Earlene Davis, Brian Ramsey, Judy Peek, Stanley & Margaret Peek, Mildred Phillips, Neal and Hazel Willis, Bill and Bea Clark, Joyce and Bob Robertson, and a multitude of friends and neighbors in the Beech Glen community for the friendship and loving care provided to Jim and family over the past several years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Madison County Home Care & Hospice, 590 Medical Park Drive, Marshall, N. C. 28753, Care Partners, John F. Keever Solace Center, P O Box 25338, Asheville, N. C. 28813 or Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., Oxford, N. C. 27565.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that also may be where I am.” John 14: 1-3
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