Gloria Taylor Robinson

COLUMBIA - After a long and remarkable life, Gloria Taylor Robinson of Columbia, S.C., died on May 29, 2022, at the age of 100. Gloria was born on March 27, 1922, in Dallas, N.C., to James Preston Taylor and Emily Kennedy Taylor. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up with her younger sister, Marian, and a houseful of Kennedy cousins who lived next door.

Gloria graduated from Dallas High School and Brevard College, where she met and fell in love with Robert Franklin Robinson. After Frank returned from military service in Europe during World War II, he and Gloria were married in Dallas on August 2, 1945. They moved to Florence, S.C., where they raised three children: Kenny, Michael, and Suzanne.

At different times, Gloria worked as a secretary, homemaker, and teacher’s aide. In 1984, she and Frank moved to their beloved mountains in Asheville, N.C., where they enjoyed 15 happy years before Frank’s death in 1999. Not long thereafter, Gloria reconnected with an old Brevard College friend, Ira Jones, and they enjoyed a beautiful late-life romance until Ira’s death in 2008.

Gloria then moved to Columbia to be nearer family. Although in her late 80s by then, Gloria joined the local YMCA where she worked out 3 or 4 times a week and made many new friends. Only after the COVID pandemic hit and she was no longer able to get out did her health gradually begin to decline.

The family would like to thank the following people who made such a positive difference in the later years of Gloria’s life. The staff and members at Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, who helped Gloria keep fit and active into her late 90s and also became the best of friends. Drs. Jeremy Ambroziak and Christopher Huffman, whose skilled and attentive care allowed Gloria to live independently for so long. Amanda Gilbert, in-home care coordinator for Comfort Keepers, and especially caregivers Elizabeth Hamilton, Doris Brooks, and Priscilla Lamar, whose loving care and friendship brightened Gloria’s final years immeasurably. Frances Plyler of ABC Hair Salon, who kept Gloria looking beautiful at her weekly hair appointment and became a close and cherished friend. Mario Ballona, the landscaper who carefully tended Gloria’s yard and planted the flowers and trees that meant so much to her, and who over the years developed a deep and loving friendship with her that meant even more. Finally, Dale Snoke, Darius Graves, and Keisha Morson at PruittHealth Hospice and Geeta, Bonnie, and Evelyn at Lexington Community Hospice House for their compassionate care and support during Gloria’s final days.

In addition to her parents and husband, Gloria was preceded in death by her sister, Marian Furber, and by her son, Kenny Robinson.

She is survived by her son, Michael Robinson (Deb), of Atlanta; her daughter, Suzanne Archer, of Columbia; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Robinson, of Columbia; two grandchildren, Paul Robinson (Lisa) and Christopher Archer (Cheryl), both of Columbia; and four great grandchildren, Kinsey and Heather Robinson and Scarlett and Hannah Archer, all of Columbia.

The family plans a private graveside service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, 900 Lake Carolina Drive, Columbia, S.C. 29229 http://www.columbiaymca.org/give

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.