Virginia Pennington Robinson

Virginia Pennington Robinson passed away peacefully at her residence on December 29, 2023. She was 80. A remembrance service will be at 11 am, Friday, January 26, at First Presbyterian Church, 617 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. Guests are welcome at the family residence following the service.

Virginia was the daughter of Katherine Kyser Pennington and James Claiborne Pennington. She was raised in Thomasville, North Carolina, and attended the Women’s College in Greensboro. She met the love of her life and husband of 55 years, the late John “Jack” Boyd Robinson, and was married in 1965. They lived throughout Virginia and North Carolina and settled in Greensboro from 1978 to 1983 and again from 1990 to 2023. Virginia loved music, was a music major in college, and volunteered to teach music in the elementary schools her children attended. She also held many volunteer positions on the PTA and the Greensboro Symphony Guild. She continued her love of music and was a dedicated First Presbyterian Church Coventry Ringers Handbell Choir member for over 30 years.

Virginia had a long, successful career in lighting, which began in Martinsville, Virginia, for Graves Supply and then spent almost 30 years at Butler Lighting in High Point. Virginia’s coworkers and clients knew her to have an exceptional work ethic, lighting knowledge, and design eye. She was admired for her strong principles, loyalty, and style. The team at Butlers were more than coworkers; they became friends and family.

She was a devoted mother to Nan Robinson McNamara, son-in-law Kevin McNamara, both of Raleigh and Wrightsville Beach, and the best “Ba” (grandmother) to Nan’s children, Kyser, Harden, and Claiborne. Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Susan Pennington; brother-in-law, Phil Friess; sister-in-law, Judy Pennington; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Virginia is preceded in death by her husband, John “Jack” Robinson (2020); son, John “Boyd” Robinson Jr. (2003); brother, James “Jim” Pennington.

The family will be forever grateful to the dedicated women who became family as they cared for her in her home for the last two years of her life and her incredible neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Greater Piedmont Adult and Teen Challenge, 1912 Boulevard St, Greensboro, NC 27407, and Search Ministries, 1852 Pembroke Rd, Greensboro, NC 27408.