Music lover, woman of faith

Gladys Luetta Heffner Robinson died peacefully on July 24, 2016 at her home in Claremont. She was 101.

She was born in Maiden, North Carolina in 1914 to James C. Heffner and Carrie Heffner. She had four brothers and four sisters. Her childhood revolved around family and church. She loved music and at a young age became pianist at the First Methodist Church in Maiden. Her faith called her to full-time Christian service, so she worked and saved to attend Greensboro College and graduated with a bachelor of arts in religious education in 1942.

Gladys met and married the Reverend John D. Robinson in 1943. Together, they served various churches in North Carolina, Arizona and California. At John’s death, they had been married nearly 48 years. Mrs. Robinson was a true partner in ministry, and a person of many talents. Besides playing the piano, she loved to paint and was active in PEO, a woman’s philanthropic organization, as well as Church Women United and the United Methodist Women.

“Gladys had the heart of a loving servant to all her friends and family,” her loved ones shared.

She is survived by her brother, J.C. Heffner, Jr. of Maiden, North Carolina; daughters Ann C. Bainter (Don) of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Margaret Joy May (Michael) of Chino; four grandchildren, Melanie (Jake), Ace (Kristi), David and Meredith (Alvaro), and two great-grandchildren, Ellie and Madigan.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 17 at 10 a.m. at the Claremont United Methodist Church, located at 211 W. Foothill Blvd. in Claremont.