Betty Robbins

Betty was born March 20, 1926 in Interlochen, Michigan, the daughter of Frederick Bruce and Altha H. (Davis) Cole.

She graduated from Traverse City High School in 1944 and married Jim Robbins on June 13, 1953, who preceded her in death on January 20, 2009. Betty was a member of First Christian Church of Traverse City for over 75 years where she served as a teacher, deacon and financial secretary; she also worked in the nursery and on Hospitality. She enjoyed golfing, knitting, crocheting, reading, gardening, canning, making cookies and peanut clusters, working jumble work puzzles and playing cards with her family and friends in Michigan and Arizona. She retired from Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital on January 3, 1983 after more than 14 years of service working in Medical Records and the mailroom.

Betty is survived by three daughters, Kay (Amos) Eman, Sheryl Sogge, and Nancy (Jim) Watson, all of Traverse City, and one son Stan (Nancy) of Newaygo, MI, ten grandchildren Rich (Mandy) Sogge, Brian Sogge (Robin Rector), Becky (Jeff) Saxton, Doug (Kelly) Esman, Missy and Andy Robbins, Scott Rokos, Julie McGee, Jeffrey (Natalie) Watson and Keith Watson (Kara Carlyle), Seven great grandchildren Brandon and Spencer Sogge, Alex Bluhm, Emily and Olivia Esman, Aiden and Lyla McGee. Also surviving are siblings Arlene (Bob) VanBrocklin and Cal (Betty) Cole, numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved cat Lilly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, son Raymond Robbins, son-in-law Larry Sogge, siblings Carl (Norma) Cole, Enid (Lee) Ghering, Burdella (Don) Weber, Jack Cole and Violet Cole.

Visitation will be held at the First Christian Church in Traverse City at 11am on Saturday, January 19, 2013 with a worship service celebrating Betty’s life of faith at 12 noon. Memorial contributions may be directed to the church. Please share fond memories and condolences at www.CovellFuneralHomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Traverse City.