Goldine Robbins

Goldine B. Robbins went home to be with her Lord on February 13, 2010 in the St. John’s Breech Hospital, Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of 100 years, Goldine was born in Bethesda, Arkansas on January 8, 1910. She was the third of eight children, Alma May, Alton, twins, Judith and Julian, Robert, Frank and Imogene, born to the union of the late Robert Edward and Cora Ann (Nelson) Bibb. Goldine was the only one in her family to graduate from high school. She achieved that goal in 1928, graduating from Batesville High School. In 1933, Goldine was united in marriage with Finis Floyd Robbins in Batesville. Goldine and Finis were blessed with a daughter, Barbara. In 1939, Finis passed away after being struck by lightning. Goldine would never re-marry. After being widowed at age 29, Goldine took her 2 ½ year old daughter and moved in with her parents and seven siblings. After all four brothers were drafted in WWII, Goldine worked three jobs simultaneously to provide food and other necessities for her daughter, ailing parents and her sister who stayed home to take care of the family. Goldine worked at the Batesville Shoe Factory, was the Independence County Librarian and as the Ruddell Hill Baptist Church janitor and secretary. In 1960, Goldine moved to Rolla, Missouri to live with daughter, Barbara and her family. She went to work at the Rolla Laundry and Cleaners. During this time, she was also an Avon representative. The family moved to Waynesville where she worked at the St. Robert Ben Franklin store until the age of 67. When the first Wal-Mart was being built in St. Robert, Sam Walton asked Goldine to go to work for him there, but she refused, telling him she was ready to retire and travel around the country with Barbara, whose job regularly took her to 17 states. When Goldine was 80, she flew with Barbara to Amsterdam and traveled the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg by boat, bus and train. She was very disappointed that upon their return to New York City, Barbara was very ill and they couldn’t stay and tour the city for a few days. When Goldine was a young girl, she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized. She was a charter member of the Ruddell Hill Baptist Church near Batesville. She later moved her membership to the First Freewill Baptist Church in Waynesville, Missouri, where she was active until her health no longer permitted her attendance. Goldine loved reading and studying her Bible. She had a wonderful talent with hand crafts, and made many treasures for her family and friends. Her greatest joy was her family. Goldine was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her daughter: Barbara Black of Waynesville, MO; two grandsons: Tom and Jeff Black; three great grandchildren: Travis, Kelsey and Meagan; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, Goldine was preceded in death by her siblings: Alma May Bibb, Alton, Robert and Frank Bibb, twins: Judith (Bibb) Daggett and Julian Bibb and a toddler sister: Imogene Bibb and her son-in-law: Tommy R. Black. Local funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 16, 2010 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville with Rev. Harry Foley and Rev. Russell Johnson officiating. Goldine’s great grandson Travis Black played “Amazing Grace”. Soloist Becky Lercher sang “How Great Thou Art” and led the congregation in singing “In the Garden”. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert. Services were held 10:00 A.M. Thursday, February 18, 2010 in the Ruddell Hill Baptist Church of Batesville, Arkansas with Pastor Jim Black officiating. Serving as escorts were Jeff, Tom and Travis Black, Brett, Bradley and Butch Jackson, Bobby Davis and Kelsey Black (USN) and Meagan Black (USAF). Burial followed in the Maple Springs Cemetery of Maple Springs, Arkansas. Services were under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville, Arkansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tommy R. Black Scholarship Fund and may be left at the funeral home.

Goldine Robbins

January 8, 1910 - February 13, 2010