Patricia Shipman Robinson

Patricia Shipman Robinson, 58, of Robinson Cove Rd., Leicester, died Monday, April 22, 2013, at Mission Hospital. A native of Jacksonville, FL, she was a daughter of the late Homer Shipman, Jr., and Marjorie Tillie Shipman. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Lee Robinson, and her step-mother, Gwendolyn Shipman. Pat was a lifelong resident of Buncombe Co. She was a 1972 graduate of Clyde A. Erwin High School, and attended WCU as a music major, where she played first chair bass clarinet. Pat was an avid animal lover, and provided a home for numerous cats. She was an excellent seamstress, and made a living sewing. She also enjoyed knitting, cooking, and serving for friends and family. She worked as a conference coordinator for the Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. Pat is survived by sisters Karen Doan and husband Kendall of Asheville, and Darlene Fitzgerald and husband Danny of Thomasville; brothers Michael Homer Shipman, of the home, and Gene Burns and wife Jeannie of Skyland; nieces and nephews Nancy Jones, Robbie Burns, Kevin Fitzgerald, Cory Fitzgerald, Shannon Phillips, Jessica Shipman, and Erin Wier; great-nieces Avenue Phillips, Faith Fitzgerald, and Azaira Phillips; and special sister-in-law Susan Lewis. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Big Sandy United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ed Worley, Dr. Ralph Sexton, Jr., and Rev. Allen Rash officiating. Her family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. In her honor, all attending the service or visitation are encouraged to wear some item of purple. Knowing Pat's preference, the family asks that instead of sending flowers, that one considers donations to the American Diabetes Association, 16-A Brozzini Court, Greenville, SC 29615, and/or to the Asheville Humane Alliance Spay and Neuter Clinic, 25 Heritage Dr., Asheville, NC 28806.