May 15, 1919 - March 1, 2024
Knoxville, TN -- Kathryn Gertrude Johnson Robinson died peacefully at her residence in Knoxville on Friday, March 1, 2024 surrounded by her four children.
Born in 1919 in McCaysville, Georgia, Kathryn was the sixth of eleven children of the late William Victor and Jessie Arrowood Johnson.
Kathryn was a 1939 graduate of Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta and worked as a neurosurgical and general surgery nurse before entering military service to serve as a combat nurse in Europe during World War II.
Kathryn and her husband were 1955 graduates of the University Of Georgia School Of Pharmacy, and they operated Robinsons’ Drug Stores in Spring City and Dayton for over 40 years. She also taught Chemistry, Biology and General Science at Spring City High School.
She was a former member of First Presbyterian Church, Spring City and later a member of Farragut Presbyterian Church.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace Clark (Sonny) Robinson, her parents, her step-mother, Irene Quintrell Johnson, her siblings and their spouses, Gladys (John) Wimberly, Garland Johnson, Grace ("Preacher") Nichols, Geneva ("Tuck") Fry, Guy (Shirley) Johnson, Gay (Fran) Johnson, Gurley (Mary) Johnson, Gentry (Ann) Johnson and Geraldine Johnson (Mason) Butterfield, her sisters-in-law, Andrewrena"Dee" Davis and Frances (C.V.) Gabbert.
She is survived by her four children, Bill (Susan) Robinson of Nashville, Judy Whitfield, Dee Robinson and Elaine Robinson of Knoxville; three grandchildren, Chris (Katie) Whitfield of Knoxville, Rachel Robinson of Annapolis, MD, and Cody (Kate) Robinson of Birchwood; nine great-grandchildren, Turner, Mary Kate, Baker and Emily Whitfield of Knoxville, and Miller, Ace, Campbell, Reece, and Major Robinson of Birchwood, and her sister, Gretta (Ray) Lloyd, Dandridge, former daughter-in-law Jeannie (Hale) Robinson of Hixson, and by Charles (Marlinda) Gillespie of Nashville, who was like a son to her.
Her Robinson family members, who knew her as Aunt Johnnie, include nieces and nephews Ann Gabbert Bates, Craig Gabbert, Leona Gabbert Taylor and their families.
Her large Johnson family, who knew her as Aunt Gert, includes surviving nieces and nephews David Wimberly, James Fry, Steve Fry, Ann Bowman, Bill Johnson, Alice Atkins, Debbie McCurdy, Bonnie Jefferson, Terri Longstreet, Nancy Willey, Rich Lloyd, Vicky Redfearn and their families.
The family would also like to thank Lindsey and Anita and the other hospice associates at Amedisys for their special care of our mother.
At Kathryn’s request, in lieu of a formal service, there will be two gatherings where family will share memories and celebrate a life well lived and well loved, Sunday, March 17 from 2-5 pm at 700 Turnberry Circle, Lenoir City, TN and Sunday, March 24, from 2-5 pm at Vaughn Funeral Home in Spring City.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Nine Line Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to meeting the financial and specialized needs of severely injured soldiers and their families, on their website https://www.ninelinefoundation.org/. Another organization dear to Kathryn's heart was the Fort Loudoun Regional Library, so donations made to the Audrey Pack Memorial Library, P.O. Box 382, 169 W. Rhea Avenue, Spring City, TN 37381 would be very much appreciated.
Vaughn Funeral Home of Spring City is in charge of the arrangements of Kathryn Gertrude Johnson Robinson and asks that you share your memories and condolences with her family on our website www.vaughn-funeral-home.com.