Dorothy Ozell Robbins

Dorothy O. Robbins passed away on December 19, 2023, at the age of 84. In her final days, she was surrounded by the extended family whom she so dearly loved, and she departed peacefully into the arms of her Savior.

Dorothy was born in Potts Camp, Mississippi, on June 26, 1939, to Alvie and Vera Faye Robbins. To say that she and her sister Kathy grew up in humble conditions would be generous. The small family worked the land and built a home through perilously difficult conditions. This made them survivors. Dorothy came from resourceful, hard-working parents and instilled this same determined work ethic into her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her sister Kathleen Robbins Weber; her daughter Michelle Redick (John); her son Michael Robbins (Erin); her granddaughters Kait Miller (Taylor), Sydney and Brooklyn Robbins; her great-grandchildren Jamison, Delilah, and Charlotte Miller; and her nieces Cheryl Gardner (Brian) and Deborah Craig (Scott).

Dorothy personified the grace of a perfectly put-together lady as well as the grit of one of her factory co-workers. Various grueling jobs paid the bills and provided for her family, but it was her time spent as a dance instructor which she recalled most fondly. Dorothy was incredibly self-reliant and independent. If something needed to be done, she did it herself. Talented beyond measure, she could sew like a professional seamstress and loved passing her skills along to her granddaughters. Through their childhood years, they enjoyed her hand-stitched Christening gowns, princess dresses, Halloween costumes, and American Girl clothes that will be treasured and passed down. If she wasn’t baking and decorating a perfect cake for some beloved family member’s celebration, she was growing every variety of plant in her flower beds. She had the greenest of green thumbs, a gift handed straight down from her mother, Big Mama.

However, the most inspiring aspect of Dorothy’s life was the internal and external transformation of Jesus entering it. Before surrendering her life to Christ, she was “Dot” to friends and family. But after experiencing her rebirth in Him, she made it clear that she would forevermore be Dorothy. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old had passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17). Her new life was a beautiful, daily reflection of this verse. Her walk was one of simple faith, her greatest legacy to us all.

Dorothy found her church home at Advent Presbyterian. In the last several months of physical hardships, her circle of church friends rallied around her, supported her, gave her rides and meals, and prayed faithfully for her. Dorothy leaves us with the reminder that God intends for us to live the abundant life in Him and through His community of believers.

Family and friends will gather on Wednesday, December 27 from ten o'clock in the morning until funeral services begin at half past ten. Burial will follow in Memphis Memory Gardens Cemetery.

We couldn’t have asked for a better sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. We will miss her every day, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her. There will be a Celebration of Life service at Advent Presbyterian Church on December 28th at eleven o'clock in the morning to commemorate Dorothy’s life. May the grace of God surround us as we remember the life and faith of Dorothy Robbins.