Imogene Robbins

1933—2024

Mrs. Imogene (Minor) Robbins of Knoxville, TN quietly slipped away from this world at the family vacation home in Blackwater, VA on September 23, 2024 less than 1 mile from the location where she began her life in January of 1933. Her gentle passage was witnessed by family and was a peaceful end to a lengthy and devastating decline in health over two decades. Awaiting her arrival on the other side were her beloved parents, Emmitt (E.F.) and Barbara (Dezzie) Minor, her dear brothers, Denver and Billy Jack Minor, her husband Isaac D. (I.D.) Robbins, beloved family dog Muffin, and numerous friends and relatives. She leaves behind her only child, Dr. Sherry L. Robbins, her son-in-law, Michael L. Horne, who earned the nickname “Saint Michael” for his years of selfless assistance in helping her daughter care for Imogene in their home, granddaughter Brandy Rose Robbins-Horne (Imogene’s favorite person in the world), and the family dogs, Moonbeam and Coco Pup, of Knoxville, as well as special sister-in-law Verna Earhart of Celina, several nieces and nephews, precious first cousins and numerous other family, friends, and neighbors. 

Mrs. Robbins resided in Blackwater until her illness necessitated assistance. She was proud to be a lifelong member of Sarepta Missionary Baptist Church. She owned her own tobacco farm, which she tended with her husband, in addition to helping him with other farming jobs and with selling McNess products door-to-door. She loved fashion, glamour, and books and was frequently described as being sophisticated and intelligent. She also enjoyed shopping, eating at Red Lobster, watching movies and QVC, and listening to the Carter Family and Chuck Wagon Gang. Imogene’s sense of humor and independence remained intact as other traits faded. Her love of family and her grief for those who went before her also remained constant. She always had a love for animals and a desire to nurture. She could not bear to see anyone, or anything suffer or go hungry. She was honest, believed in never allowing a debt to go unpaid, and would not back down when defending someone she loved or when fighting for what she believed to be right. She loved life and clung to it when others might have surrendered, exceeding all predictions as to her life expectancy and proving that miracles do happen. Her greatest legacy is the unconditional love that she taught her family to accept and to give, even when it would have been easier to turn away. No doubt, that love will be passed down through the generations and will change the world for the better. 

The family is grateful for all those who have shown Imogene kindness, prayed for her, and inquired about her during her lengthy illness. They particularly wish to acknowledge Mrs. Joni East, Mrs. Laura Black, and others at Off Road Equipment Parts, without whose unwavering support of Michael by allowing him flexibility in working from home and keeping strange hours, Imogene would likely have died long ago. They are grateful to Ms. Dovia Osborne, Dr. Brent Joyce, the Coleman Family (headed by Tim and Teresa), Ms. Barbara Collingsworth, Mrs. Verna Earhart, and Imogene’s cousins and friends who honored her with cards, letters, messages, gifts, and/or visits over the decades. Additionally, the devoted care taken of her land in Virginia by Daniel and Janice (Iretta) Johnson and the Mark Eldridge family is appreciated. Special thanks, also, goes to her medical team of Dr. Wesley Dean and staff, Dr. Todd Peters, Dr. Jerry J. Crook, II, and Dr. Ryan Unger and the UT Wound Care team. Additional appreciation goes to Continuum Rx staff (particularly, “John the Pharmacist” and Josh who both went above and beyond to help). 

Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home of Kingsport, as she had requested, is in charge of arrangements. Floral tributes are welcome, as are donations in her memory to either St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN or any animal charity (such as ASPCA or local, no-kill shelters like Young-Williams Animal Shelter in Knoxville, TN). Funeral will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, September 28 at the Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home chapel at 117 E Charlemont Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37660. Pastor Glen Hurd will officiate, and a eulogy will be provided by Dr. Robbins. Immediately following the formal service, the family will receive friends in the chapel. The family would like to emphasize that infections are increasing in frequency in the Tri-Cities area and neither they nor Imogene would want others to become ill, so those who cannot attend may watch the services at www.hamlettdobson.com and you may also leave online condolences for the family.