Lisa N. Robbins

She is now dancing in heaven to one of her favorite songs “Brick House,” hanging with her father Marvin P. Nichols, who passed away in 2015, and our beloved dog, Sam, the wonder dog. Lisa died early Sunday morning (May 8, 2022) after an eight-month battle with stage-4 gastric cancer. She was surrounded by her immediate family: John C. Robbins, a long time member of the Alabama and Birmingham Bar Associations, and her two wonderful children, Anna Katherine Robbins and Jaclyn Robbins both of Birmingham. We may not have been what many consider a traditional family, but we were us. We loved each other in our own way. We fought at times, and we caused each other heartache at times, but we were always there to support and encourage each other. Love is expressed in many ways, and we expressed our love by our actions. We are sad that she left this world way too early; she was a good and decent person. However, we are happy that she is at peace and no longer suffering in pain. She did not fear what we all knew was the inevitable result of her cancer, but her only sadness that she expressed many times was that she was going to miss “her babies.” And, though, “her babies” will always miss her, Lisa was confident that Anna and Jaclyn would continue to lead good, happy, and productive lives. Her children are a testament to how great a mother Lisa was.

Lisa is also survived by her mother, Ann Nichols, of Valdosta, Georgia, her brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Janet Nichols, of Valdosta, Georgia (although Janet was married to her brother, she was more like Lisa’ actual sister), her nephew and niece by marriage, John Paul “J.P.” and Caitlyn Nichols, of Valdosta, Georgia, Lorraine and Willis Warren of Lakeland Georgia, and several cousins and other family members from South Georgia and around the country. Lisa’s New Jersey family is many but to name a few are Susan and Victor Carnivale, Melissa and Heath Marxer, and Amanda and Dale Marxer and their sons, Lucas and Cooper. We mean no disrespect to any family member that is not specifically mentioned by name. Lisa loved her family very much, the ones mentioned above and the many that are in her heart but have not been specifically named. Also part of Lisa’s family are her many friends in Birmingham, Valdosta, New Jersey, Arizona, and Tennessee. The list is long and to name a few: the “Beach Girls” (and you know who you are), her teacher friends from Mountain Brook High School, her friends that she made through the Red Mountain Theater Company, her college friends, and the professors who helped shape her life and who provided many good times and much laughter. Lisa would be upset if we did not give these special people a “shoutout” and let them know how much she loved them and how important they were to her.

Lisa was born on June 21, 1959, and she grew up in Valdosta, Georgia. She graduated from Valdosta State University with a BS degree in Biology. She began her teaching career at Valdosta High School. In August of 1984, we moved to Birmingham so I could attend Cumberland School of Law. She was hired as a chemistry teacher by Berry High School, when Jane Mahon went on maternity leave. This was a seminal moment in her career. She loved that job and her fellow teachers and principal so much that she did not want to leave at the end of the school, and fortunately, Berry High School hired her on full as a full time science teacher. We planted roots in Birmingham and made our home here. Berry High School was the beginning of an almost 40-year friendship with the “Beach Girls.” So, for those who don’t know, Lisa’s job at Berry High School is the reason why we stayed in Birmingham after graduating from law school. Lisa went on to teach science at Hoover High School when Hoover established its own school system. She left teaching in 1999 when our youngest was born to be a stay at home mom for 5 years. She returned to teaching in the Mountain Brook School system and taught science at Mountain Brook High School for many years until her retirement a few years ago. She never really retired from teaching. She continued to substitute teach at Mountain Brook High School until she was hired back by Mountain Brook High School to what she considered a dream job. She was hired to teach and work in the special education department. She loved working with those students; they gave her so much joy each day. She was very sad when her illness got to the point where she could not go to the high school to be with her students.

Lisa loved the beach, the theater, books, Alabama Football (Roll Tide), and Coach K and Duke Basketball (not sure where that came from). During football season, she loved to friendly banter/trash talk with her nephew J.P., who is an avid Florida Gator fan. She loved a glass of wine and good food. Unfortunately, her cancer robbed her of those pleasures, but it did not rob her of her good spirit, her decency, and her humanity. She will be missed by so many, but her good spirit will live on in her “babies.”

We want to thank Dr. Cara Bondly and the nurses and staff in her office for the kindness and care they gave Lisa over the past 8-months. We want to thank Dr. Randy Newman for always being there to take Lisa’s call and to help her through this difficult situation. He was a neighbor and friend besides being a good doctor. We want to thank nurse Beau form the Emergency Room and all the nurses and doctors in the MICU at St. Vincent’s Hospital for providing comfort and care to Lisa during her several hours. We also thank all the neighbors from Warrington Road for their kindness and their help over the last several months. We appreciate it more than you know. Lisa was very thankful to Brittney Russell for helping with Scout.

Lisa’s funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2 Xavier Circle, Birmingham, AL 35213 on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 11:00 AM. There will be a memorial viewing on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 from 4:OO – 7:00 PM at Ridout Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209. In lieu of flowers, we are suggesting a donation to the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation, 850 Shades Creek Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35209.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Robbins family.