Ina Rhea Beatty Robbins

Ina Rhea Beatty Robbins passed away peacefully into heaven on December 31, 2023, at the age of 92 in Franklin, Tennessee. She was born August 28, 1931, to Mildred Earlene Beatty and Samuel Lee Beatty. She is survived by her children, Beverly Sue “Suzi” Robbins of Franklin, TN, Joel “Joey” (Libby) Robbins of College Grove, TN, and her beloved granddaughter Elizabeth Rhea Robbins. She is survived by one brother, Samuel Wayne “Bobby” Beatty, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Thomas Robbins, and her siblings, Cletus Leroy Beatty, Charles Cleveland Beatty, and Iva Mae Shearer.

Ina was born in Hohenwald, Tn, and then moved to Nashville in 1945. 1948 was a big year for Ina as she graduated East High School, began her 46-year career with the South Central Bell (et. al), and married the love of her life, James Robbins, who died in 1976. She never remarried.

Her professional life at the Phone Company took her from being an Operator to retiring in 1993 as a supervisor. Her career gave her many life-long friends. The phone company may have been her professional career, but her loves were God, family (immediate and extended), and her Church family. Her Church history began as a child at the United Pentecostal Church in Hohenwald, to over 30 years with First United Pentecostal Church, 35 years with Christ Church and her last 10 years with Grace Church Nashville. She served faithfully at all her churches with positions from a Sunday School Teacher, Secretary with the Church Board, Evangelism Explosion Outreach team member, long time Understanding God Counselor. She attended Bible Study Fellowship for many years. After so many years of Church, she felt she could always learn more.

Ina’s hobbies included being an avid reader, great cook, and loved to travel. She was always reading. She read the Gospel of John 7 times, back to back. She loved her Guidepost and Readers Digest. Biographies were also a favorite, especially if Ken Abraham had written them. Her cooking was legendary. Fried Chicken, Biscuits and Gravy, Chocolate Meringue Pie and Carrot Cake were her specialties. If she had a potluck at work or church, she would get up at 5am to cook her chicken. Traveling became a real passion. Sanibel Island was always her favorite; she traveled there almost every year for 35 years through 2021. After she retired, she began to travel the world. She traveled to 13 different countries, including Australia, Africa, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and others.

Ina had a smile and a hug for everyone. She touched countless lives and hoped she could smile and make a compliment to make your day better.

A funeral service will be held January 5, 2024, at 2:30 at Woodlawn Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 12:30. Rev. Ron Becton and Rev. Lindell Cooley will officiate. Pallbearer: David Beatty, Mike Dugan, Don Wood, Tommy Scott, Brennan Curtis, and Dave Saunders.