John Lowry Robbins

CHARLESTON - Mr. John Lowry (Bob) Robbins of Riverland Terrace, husband of Mrs. Margaret Easterling Robbins, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. He died at home surrounded by his family.

The relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Service of Death and Resurrection at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at Bethany United Methodist Church on James Island. The burial and Service of Committal will be in Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Stuhr's West Ashley Chapel on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Mr. Robbins was born in Hickory Grove, S.C., on June 1, 1912, the eldest child and son of James Edward Robbins and Mary Dowdle Robbins. He was raised on the Hickory Grove farm and educated in York County schools. After graduation from high school, he came to Charleston during the Depression and worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps, stationed on Sullivans Island. He was later employed at the Charleston Dry Dock and then at the Charleston Navel Shipyard. He retired from the Charleston Naval Shipyard in 1974 as a Packaging Inspector with 38 years of service, for which he received a commendation for dedicated service and contributions to the Naval Supply Center. From 1974 to 1988, he worked for Carolina Dispatching Service as Operations Manager.

Raised in Bullock Creek Presbyterian Church in Hickory Grove, he joined the Methodist Church in Charleston and was an active member, first at Asbury United Methodist Church, and then at Bethany United Methodist Church, where he was a charter member. He served in many capacities and offices in both churches, and at the time of his death, was an Honorary Member of the Board of Trustees at Bethany. He was a member of the Jennings Bible Class and attended Sunday school and worship regularly through Aug. 24, 2008.

In addition to his wife of 69 years, Mr. Robbins is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Gloria Robbins Davis and her husband, Gary Davis, of Charleston, Cheryl Hancock and her husband, Robert Hancock, of Hanahan and Deborah Orvin and her husband, Ray Orvin, of Greenville; four grandsons, Jeremy Robbins Davis and his wife, Cristin Mellow Davis, of Atlanta, Christopher Matthew Davis of Charleston and Louisiana, Jonathan Robert Hancock and his wife, Melissa Lane Hancock, of Spartanburg and Ray T. Orvin III and his fiancée, Yvette Pace, of Greenwood, S.C.; a granddaughter, April Orvin Borkman and her husband, Ray Borkman, of North Charleston; three great-grandchildren, Riley Marie Davis and Brady Mellow Davis of Atlanta and Lillie Elizabeth Hancock of Spartanburg.

He is also survived by a sister, Mary Nan Stafford of Rock Hill, South Carolina; a brother, Faye C. Robbins and his wife, Myrldine Robbins, of Hickory Grove; two sisters-in-law, Betty Robbins of Hickory Grove and Ruby Robbins of Chester, S.C.; four nieces and four nephews.

He was predeceased in death by three brothers, Blaine Woodrow Robbins and Tom Brenard Robbins Sr. of Hickory Grove and James Evreaux Robbins of Chester; a brother-in-law, Eldridge Ned Stafford Sr. of Rock Hill; and a nephew, Ronald Edward Stafford of Rock Hill and New York.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, 1853 Maybank Highway, Charleston, SC 29412 or the charity of one's choice.

The family wishes to express appreciation to the nurses and staff of Winyah Hospice and to the caregivers of Restoration Home Care. The assistance of these persons enabled Mr. Robbins to remain in his home of 61 years.