Mary Joy Hunter-Robinson was born October 11, 1944, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, to Webster and Maggie (Lester) Hunter. She was eldest of their four children.
The family moved to North Little Rock in Mary’s infancy. Educated in NLR public schools, she graduated from Scipio A. Jones High School and then matriculated at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, where she was initiated into the Gamma Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Education.
Mary Joy Hunter married Travis Clayborn Robinson, Lt. Colonel (ret.), a USAF chaplain. They were blessed with four children. Mary spent most of her life and her career as an educator; and as a military wife, she taught all over the world. Her final assignment was with the Shelby County School System (SCSS) in Memphis from where she retired in 2011. For her excellence as an educator during her tenure there, the SCSS had awarded her with the coveted distinctions of Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Educator.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021, Mary transitioned from her earthly tabernacle to be reunited with her parents, Webster and Maggie Hunter, and her brothers, Donnie Ray Hunter and Gaylord Hunter.
She leaves behind to love, laugh, and celebrate her memory those who gave her life so much joy: a devoted and loving husband, the Rev. Dr. (Ch Lt Col, USAF, ret.) Travis Robinson, Sr; two loving sons, Travis Clayborn Robinson, Jr. and Tagos Cantrell Robinson; two adoring daughters, Teri Lynnette Jones (Leon) and Tiffany JoHunter Robinson; six precious grandchildren; her loyal and caring sister Patricia Ann Watson (Ricky); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
The Farewell Celebration for Mary Joy Hunter-Robinson will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at Greenwood C.M.E. Church (where she had been First Lady during her husband’s tenure as Pastor), 3311 Kimball Avenue in Memphis. A public visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. immediately before service. The funeral celebration is open to the public. Covid-19 mask and social distancing protocols will be strictly implemented. Perpetual care in Tennessee is entrusted to N.J. Ford and Sons Funeral Home, 12 South Parkway West, Memphis, TN 38109. Arkansas arrangements are entrusted to Walton GateWay Funeral Chapel, Inc., “Where Caring and Quality Come First”, 2405 S. Gaines Street, Little Rock, (501) 376-7188. Please, visit and sign Mary’s online guest book at:
https://www.forevermissed.com/mary-hunter-robinson/about