Dr. Ray Edwin Robinson, the former minister at First-Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga, died from injuries suffered in a car wreck on Friday night in Maryville.
Dr. Robinson, 75, of Martin Valley Road, Walland, Tn., was pronounced dead at about 11 a.m. Saturday as a result of injuries sustained in the traffic accident. Their 1993 Honda Accord traveled some distance in the ditch before becoming wedged in it.
Rescue workers had to extricate Dr. Robinson from the car.
Both of the Robinsons were wearing their seat belts.
They were returning from a visitation for Walter Wright in Unicoi. Mr. Wright, whose wife is a United Methodist minister, also died in a car accident earlier in the week.
Dr. Robinson had been scheduled to conduct the funeral in Knoxville the next day.
Dr. Robinson was a retired United Methodist minister in the Holston Conference. He served for 50 years in East Tennessee in areas including Maryville, Knoxville, Hixson, Chattanooga, Athens and Kingsport. He was at First-Centenary from 1990-1995 as senior pastor.
The couple had been married for 51 years.
Dr. Robinson was survived by his daughters, sons-in laws and grandchildren: Joy and Bill Shultz, Katie, Blake, and Hannah of Birmingham, Ala.; Ann and Joe Leatherwood, Michelle and Christopher, of Maryville. He is also survived by his sisters, Edith Moore, Betty Jo Householder and Hazel Imes.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, Maryville, officiated by his pastors, the Rev. Larry Carroll and the Rev. Brenda Carroll.
The family will receive friends from 3 until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and again following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 804 Montvale Station Road, Maryville, Tn., 37803.
Arrangements are by McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville.