Mary Helen Robbins

Just as she had prayed for, Mary Helen Robbins peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, July 18, 2021. She was born on August 23, 1931, in Vernon, Texas to the parents of sharecroppers, Orville Lee Hix and Addie Viola Smallwood Hix. She was the youngest of nine children.

Although she originally did not like Ken Robbins when they first met at school, ultimately, they developed a mutual love and respect for each other and were married on October 12, 1949, in Honolulu, HI while Ken was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Ken and Helen were powerfully devoted to each other and had three children: first born son Ken, also known as Mike, daughter Sharon Starmer, and son Robby and their respective spouses: Jean Robbins, Frank Starmer, and Mabel Robbins. They have seven grandchildren: Tim Robbins, Debbie Robbins (Eisberg), Matthew Robbins, Elizabeth Robbins (Mitchell); Brian Hickman, Jennifer Hickman (Bell), and Samantha Robbins (McFarlin) plus an additional fifteen great-grandchildren. Ken and Helen were devoted to their family and friends and were fierce champions for veteran's affairs, serving the Veterans of Foreign Wars for over 60 years. They made their home in Sacramento and owned and operated C&H Paint, Equipment and Supply.

Helen was a woman of integrity. She was loving, kind, proud, and completely unpretentious. Helen had a strong sense of service and volunteered her time and talents, especially in her younger years. Helen never took herself too seriously and had the ability to laugh at herself. She gracefully accepted the tragedies life handed her without questioning her faith in God.

She is preceded in death by Ken, her husband of 48 years, her youngest son, Robby, all her siblings and parents.

Our family rejoices that she is with the Lord, free of pain and suffering, and is able, once again to dance with our father and brother.

Please join our family for a celebration of life that will be held Friday, July 30th at 9:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church, 3901 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento. Private burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the First Christian Church, 3901 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento; Mercy Hospice, or VFW Post 67.