Charlie Robinson
Athens, TN – Charlie Robinson, age 88, died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, surrounded by family.
He was born in Etowah, Tennessee, to the late Charles P. (Sr.) and Nina Robinson on March 5, 1935.
After graduating from Etowah High School, Charlie attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he graduated with a degree in Education and lettered in football. After graduation he worked as a teacher and high school football coach in Harriman, Tennessee. It was in Harriman where he met the love of his life, Linda, whom he married in 1959.
Charlie served his country in the Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Major, and he served as an aide to the late Major General Warren C. Giles, with whom he remained in close contact throughout the General’s life.
His motto was “Family Comes First,” and he and Linda had six children whom he adored. The greatest tragedy of his life occurred on May 4, 1983, when he lost his oldest child, Mark, in an automobile accident. That loss shaped the remainder of his life, and the family is thankful he and Mark are now reunited in Heaven.
After a brief career in education, Charlie worked at Bowater for a short time. With $100 in the bank and six children at the house, he came home one day and told Linda he had quit his job. That decision paved the way for him to enter real estate sales. Charlie started Robinson Realty in 1973. An innovator throughout his career, Charlie brought franchised real estate to Athens in 1976,establishing the area’s first Century 21 location. For the next 46 years, he was proud to work with the best agents in the business who became his extended family.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles P. (Sr.) and Nina Robinson, of Athens, infant brother Joseph, sister Charlotte Polofsky of Knoxville, and son, Mark Robinson of Athens. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Linda Robinson of Athens, brother Pat (Carolyn) Robinson of Hixon, brother Jim (Kay) Robinson of Ft. Mill, SC, daughters Carla (Rusty) Arterburn of Athens, Paula (Wayne) Scarbrough of Cleveland, sons Mike Robinson, William Robinson, both of Athens, and Bert Robinson (Heather) of Knoxville, along with grandchildren Julia (Graham) Olson, Amelia (Mark) Reedy, Stephanie (Jeremy) Wilson, Beth (Tim) Truelove, Will Robinson, Elizabeth (Matt) Axley, Jessica (Stephen) Farr, Jackson Scarbrough, Molly Robinson, Charlie Robinson, and great-grandchildrenAxel, Hazel, James, Hollis, Luke, Brent, Elley Sue, Waylon, Wyatt, Carter, Barrett, Olivia, Oliver, and niece Kristin (Jason) Pettus.
The family will hold a private graveside service at McMinn Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Table Graces Food Pantry in Athens, the Great Smoky Mountain Council – Boy Scouts of America, or to the Athens-McMinn Family YMCA.
Smith Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Athens is honored to serve the Robinson family.