Carla Victoria Robinson

Carla Victoria Robinson (Lyon) passed away peacefully on September 25, 2019 surrounded by her husband, Karl Lyon, family and friends. She was born on October 21, 1947 in Eufaula, Alabama to James and Eula Robinson, who predeceased her. Moving to Pensacola at a young age, she attended local schools and graduated from Pensacola High School. She went on to achieve a nursing degree and while nursing was her vocation, her passion for sailing became her lifelong avocation. She also became a certified scuba diver.

She was a media marketing and sales specialist for many years. She began her own successful business, Balloons Over Pensacola, and served on several community boards. Carla was instrumental in starting Mardi Gras Pensacola, becoming a board member. Giving back to her community was important as she volunteered at the Manna Food Bank Incorporated.

Carla’s zest for life and adventurous spirit led her to become a competitive sailor and over the years, she participated in many sailing races, including an annual regatta from Pensacola to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Though petite in stature, she mastered the art of sailing and could hold her own hoisting sails and handling rigging. In 1989, she sailed on the tall ship, Elissa, on its maiden voyage across the Gulf of Mexico from Galveston to Pensacola. The opportunity of a lifetime presented itself in 1992-93, when she and her future husband, Karl Lyon, signed on to crew the sailing vessel, Rose Evelyn, venturing from Pensacola to New Zealand. Their several ports of call included the Galapagos, Easter Island, Bora Bora, Fiji and many other Polynesian Islands. Carla’s own words expressed the essence of her life – “What a joy my life has been. You need to have a passion – a goal. Life is too short not to seize the day.” She lived every day to its fullest.

Carla was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and aunt. She is survived by the love of her life, husband, Karl Lyon; beloved daughter, Kristin Saunders (Randy); two sisters, Hila Robinson Minshew and Jana Robinson Simpson (James); niece, Jana Arnett; nephew, Tyler Carsten; five beautiful grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. She is also remembered by her many close friends, who knew the joy of her laughter and the twinkle in her eye.

No memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Manna Food Bank Inc., 3030 North E. Street, Pensacola, Florida 32501 or to Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504.