James Edward Robbins

1934 - 2022

James Edward Robbins, age 87, passed away peacefully from this earthly life on April 25, 2022, in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where he and his wife, Lavice, had moved to live their final years with family. Jimmy was born December 21, 1934, in Alamo, Tennessee, to James Calvin and Janie Privett Robbins. Jimmy grew up in Crockett County where his chores before and after school included helping on the family farm: growing, chopping, and picking cotton. Jimmy graduated from Alamo High School in 1952 and moved to Memphis to attend office training school in 1953. It was soon thereafter that he met the love of his life, Lavice Hawkins.

Jimmy and Lavice immediately sparked a fast-growing relationship which led to a June 12th, 1954, wedding in West Memphis, Arkansas. They lived in Memphis where they both continued their schooling and began their lives together. God blessed them through the years with three children. Christ was always the center of their home. Jimmy was a born-again Christian and was a devoted servant to his Lord and Savior. Jimmy suffered several strokes in late 1998 which left him with limited abilities, but he still continued to live his life by the words of Joshua 1:9: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." He served as a Sunday School teacher through the years. He was also ordained as a deacon first at Poplar Avenue Baptist Church and continued his deaconship service through the years at Highland Heights Baptist Church and then later at Ellendale Baptist Church, for a total of 51 consecutive years, before stepping down to move to New Mexico with family.

Jimmy joined the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1953. After 24 years of service, he retired as an E-7, SFC, battalion supply sergeant for the 3-115 Field Artillery Battalion. Jimmy worked a host of jobs throughout his life, which exemplified and contributed to his many talents: jobs ranging from ABC Television Service; Sears, Roebuck and Co.; United Parcel Service; Kimball's Truck Line; and Second Transportation Zone; but he made a life-long career with the U.S. Postal Service, first riding train routes throughout five states delivering mail. He then moved up through the ranks into various other positions, ending his career as the energy conservation manager for the Midsouth, retiring after 35 years of service.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Lavice Hawkins Robbins; his parents, J.C. and Janie Robbins; and grandson, Joshua Edward Robbins. He is survived by his three children: James Edward Robbins, Jr. (Melanie), of Arlington, Tennessee; Diane Robbins Angel (Steve), of Chattanooga, Tennessee; David Lee Robbins (Tammy), of Los Alamos, New Mexico; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; one sister, Sue Carter; and a host of extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends Friday, May 6, 2022, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., with a service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Ellendale Baptist Church, 3861 Broadway Road, Bartlett, Tennessee, with Senior Pastor Fred Shackelford, Senior Adult Pastor Tommy Webster, and Worship Pastor Jon Medlock officiating.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Ellendale Baptist Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Arrangements and funeral services are under the care of Brent Taylor-Paul B. McCarver Funeral Directors. (901)707-8115. www.BrentTaylorFuneralDirectors.com.