Mrs. Annie Pearl Ivie Robinson, 88, of Readyville passed away with her family at her side on September 27, 2024. She was born in Rockvale, Tennessee on December 28, 1935. Her parents were the late Alvin Ivie and Mary Elizabeth Steele Ivie. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Gordon Robinson, a brother, Thomas Ivie, two grandchildren, Sharon Parker and Jammie Parker and her son-in-law, Walter Johnson.
She is survived by her daughters, Donna (Eugene) Parker and Peggy Johnson, brothers, J.T. (Robbye) Ivie and William (Julie) Ivie, sister-in-law, Margaret Ivie, grandchildren, Malinda Johnson, Jennifer Jones, Chris (Kayla) Johnson, and Kristy Higgins, thirteen great grandchildren, and ten great great grandchildren.
When the Great Depression hit families in this part of the country struggled, the thing that pulled them through was faith in God, hard work, and love. These were things Annie Pearl held onto throughout her life. Like many of the people of that day, the classroom was a luxury they couldn’t always afford. They were schooled in common sense and learned the lessons they needed to survive and thrive when the going got tough.
She was not one to be idle with her time. After she and her husband married, they took a job in the heart of Bradyville on the dairy farm owned by Ellis Thomas. They were tasked with milking and rounding up the cows. That sounds simple but, when you’re dealing with cattle, they have a knack for finding every little hole in the fence during the worst possible weather. After their girls were born, she would often bring them to the feed room while the cows were being milked so she could keep an eye on them. When the girls were big enough, they pitched in to help with whatever needed to be done.
Working on a dairy farm in those days didn’t pay much. It wasn’t unusual for them to have to wait until their milk check came in to make the much anticipated once a month trip to town to the store and get all the local news. Later was able to find work at the Samsonite chair factory and spent 24 years there. When she wasn’t working, she busied herself with sewing, raising goats, flower gardening, and taking care of her home.
Early on she found her faith and a church family with Cedar Grove United Methodist Church. She loved being in church and often helped with teaching the kindergarten age classes. As far as church went her work didn’t end there. She helped with cleaning the building and also, beautified the outside of the building by keeping the flower beds clean and planting some of her beloved flowers like tulips, Shasta daisies and peonies. One of her favorite Bible verses was Psalm 118:24. “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” This verse seemed to sum up her life.
Her family could rejoice when she cooked up a special batch of her chicken and dressing with some biscuits on the side. Her son-in-law, Eugene, didn’t find so much rejoicing in the “special burger” she made for him one day. He hunted for quite a while to find the tiny patty under the pickle. Needless to say, he liked to pick at her. She was easy going most of the time but, if her temper got up you would know it and get back in line quickly.
She always found peace with being outside enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. She especially loved to put out hummingbird feeders. They would flock to them and she could watch them happily for hours. Her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, lovingly called her Nannie. She taught them that she didn’t need anything fancy to be happy. The best things in life are free. The love of the Lord, love for your family, a good home cooked meal, and a good day’s work were enough to satisfy her.
The family would like to express their special heartfelt thanks to Gentiva Hospice for the great love and care they gave to their Mama (Nannie). Their visits meant more than they can say.
Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Monday, September 30, 2024, from 10-2 pm. Funeral services will follow in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Jeffrey Reynolds will officiate. Interment will be in Robinson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.