Pauline Clawson Robbins

Pauline Clawson Robbins, 100, of West Point, Va., passed from this life on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.

She was born on Sept. 25, 1915, to Clayton Henry and Cassie Madison Clawson in Sweet Hall, King William County. She graduated from West Point High School in 1933, after having moved often and attending several schools around the state. But wherever she went, she was known for her athletic prowess, especially in basketball and track.

In seventh grade at Port Richmond School, she met the love of her life, Albert Lindsay Robbins. They became husband and wife in February 1937, also in Sweet Hall.

Pauline began her career in retail sales in downtown West Point, first at Horwitz’s Shoe Store, then at the Ben Franklin and later at Riddle’s Drug Store. In July 1959, her father-in-law, S. C. Robbins, died suddenly of a heart attack while standing in the grocery store in Port Richmond that he had owned for nearly 40 years. Pauline and Albert, now middle-aged parents of a 5-year-old daughter, took on ownership of the store, which became known as A. L. Robbins General Merchandise, or simply Robbins Store. Many, many people through the years entered those doors as customers– and left as friends.

In July 1979, exactly 20 years after taking the reins, the couple sold the store and retired to their “weekend place” on the Mattaponi River in King William. Pauline was now able to spend more time on her hobbies– sewing, gardening, trying out recipes, working puzzles, reading voraciously (she read the Bible cover-to-cover at least a dozen times), taking care of a menagerie of animals (both tame and wild), and writing poems and letters (to this day recipients have keepsaked her greeting cards, often graced with her own poems and a plethora of stickers).

In the 1980s, the family got into traveling, taking several fly-drives around the USA. But in the 1990s Albert’s health declined. After 66 years of marriage, he passed away in October 2003. Eventually Pauline got back into traveling, and by the time of her passing she had seen at least 46 of our 50 states, plus some of Canada and Mexico.

Pauline was always thankful to be blessed with a long life– a life that was active almost to the very end. Being a mom plus a business co-owner, both beginning at middle age, kept her going, but industriousness was part of her nature, as was creativity and resourcefulness. Add to that an insatiable curiosity, an adventurous spirit, a genuine love of life, her Lord, her family and her friends– these were some of the secrets to her longevity.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Alan Chamberlain of West Point; sisters Peggy Dean and Faye Clawson, both of Richmond; several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many devoted friends.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, at Vincent Funeral Home, 11th St., West Point. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at the funeral home with interment in Sunny Slope Cemetery, West Point.

Memorials may be made to West Point United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 610, West Point, Va. 23181 or 4 Paws, P.O. Box 442, West Point, Va. 23181. Tributes may be posted at www.vincentfh.com.