Obituary of Jennings Bryan Robinson

Jennings Bryan Robinson of Boone passed away on June 13, 2016, at the age of 94. He was born in rural Mitchell County on May 11, 1922, the fifth of eight children born to Grace Hughes Robinson and William Jennings Bryan Robinson. In 1938, after graduating from high school in Bakersville, NC, he entered Berea College at the age of sixteen, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1942. Three months after graduation, he entered into active duty in the Army, serving in General Simpsons 9th Army, 44th Cavalry Group. While on leave in November of the following year, he married Florence Edna Seay of Asheville, NC. He served in the European theater of World War II until peace was declared in 1945. After the war, J. B. taught agriculture in Barnardsville, NC, until 1950, when he moved his family to Boone, N.C., to begin his life-long career as a loan agent with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers Home Administration. After retirement in 1985, he devoted his time to gardening, traveling, photography, and reading. He took special pleasure in supporting the activities of Boone United Methodist Church, in particular the Covenant Class and the annual Fall Bazaar. He is survived by his two children, Russel Lee Robinson (Irina) of Amarillo, Texas, Jenny Robinson Puckett (Jody) of Winston-Salem, NC, two grandsons, Christopher Hughes Robinson of Savannah, Georgia, Joe Lee Puckett, IV of Winston-Salem, N.C., and a great-granddaughter, Alana Elizabeth Kyles of Richmond, VA. A memorial service will be held at Boone Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd., on Saturday, June 18 at 2:00 PM. To honor his memory, memorial contributions may be sent to Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, N.C. 28607, or to the Berea Fund of Berea College, Berea, KY 40404. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Robinson family.