Mary Lou Eason Robbins, born April 6, 1937, passed away at her home on August 3, 2018. “Big Lou,” as she was affectionately known by her family, was truly larger than life. Mary Lou was born and raised in Jacksonville, attended Landon High School and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in education. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Following her graduation from Florida, Mary Lou taught in both public and private elementary schools in Jacksonville. Always full of ambition, she later became a realtor with Manormor Realty and also established and owned the Interiors Market on San Jose Blvd.
In addition to her large family, to which she proudly lived up to her nickname as Big Lou, Mary Lou relished her many friendships, all of whom she considered to be an extension of her family. Her husband’s long career at Barnett Bank also allowed her to travel extensively and to develop enduring relationships across the country and the world. Nothing pleased Mary Lou more than to host and entertain her family and friends to a Southern Living style dinner. Her meals were simply epic. It wasn’t just the food that was important to her; it was the table conversation and laughter that lasted long after the meal was finished that she most enjoyed.
Mary Lou is predeceased by her parents, William Herbert Eason and Juanita Graham Eason, and by her husband, E. Petri Robbins, and is survived by her daughter, Dana Riley (Jim) of Jacksonville, sons Scott Huggin (Heidi) and William Huggin (Tricia) of Bend, Oregon, step-daughter, Virginia Robbins-Bugg (Gary) of Danville, Kentucky and step-son, Scott Robbins (Deanna) of Salt Lake City, and her grandchildren, Mary Graham Riley, Hillary Love Riley, Mckee Riley, Mary Scott Bugg, Margaret Ann Riley, Ella Louise Huggin, Bennett Huggin, Caroline Bugg,Sydney Robbins, Kai Huggin, Lilly Huggin, Ryder Blue Huggin and Berkeley Robbins.
A celebration of life will take place on Friday, August 10th at Christ Episcopal Church at 11:00 am. Funeral arrangements entrusted to HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, Jacksonville Beach. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in her honor to Christ Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice.
