Robin Richey Williams
August 17, 1934 - November 16, 2024
Robin Richey Williams, born on August 17, 1934, passed into the glory of God at age 90 on November 16, 2024. A fourth-generation Texas pioneer family descendant raised in Atlanta, Texas, she was the daughter of Verde A. and Helen Hutchins Richey. While at SMU she also studied piano at the Sorbonne University in Paris. There she fell in love with her high school crush, Robert R. Williams of Jefferson, TX, who was stationed nearby with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Robin graduated with honors at SMU as a classical pianist studying under Dr. Paul and Viola Van Katwijk who were in the teacher lineage of Beethoven. She taught music in Dallas schools before marrying Robert in 1956 and they relocated to Grand Isle, LA, for his Humble Oil geologist job. The couple later moved to New Orleans where their three daughters were born, and then back to Dallas in 1968. In 2014, Robin and Robert moved to Jackson, MS, to be closer to their eldest daughter and her family.
In Dallas, Robin was an industrious homemaker, supportive in not only her husband’s and daughters’ activities but also led Sunday schools and Bible studies and served on the Administrative Board at Highland Park United Methodist Church; taught piano students for a span of 40 years; became an oil painting and pastel portraiture artist; wrote book reviews for the Dallas Morning News; and presided over the Dallas Symphony Auxiliary, Dallas Opera Guild, and Dallas Geological-Geophysical Auxiliary. She was a member of the Dallas Woman’s Club, Mortar Board Alumni, Zeta Tau Alpha Alumni, Mu Phi Epsilon music honorary, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Friday Book Club and Armstrong Book Review. As a late career accomplishment, she fundraised for the D/FW Airport board to build chapels in each terminal.
Robin was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her brother David Michael “Slim” Richey and her parents. She is survived by her beloved daughters Claire W. Aiken (Richard) of Jackson, MS; Alison W. H. Vinson (Wade) of Houston; daughter Susan W. Haas (John) of Austin; cherished grandchildren Robert Aiken (Corey), Elizabeth “Beth” Aiken Hudspeth (Seth) of Jackson, MS; Claire Hogan and Lauren Hogan, both of Austin; Robert “Rob” Hogan of Brooklyn, NY; Andrew Haas (Eliana) of Long Island, NY, Erin Haas Tennant (Nathaniel) of Auckland, NZ, and Benjamin Haas of Austin; as well as six great grandchildren; nieces Cindy Sholes, Sally Savino, and Julie Phillips, and nephew Tom Richey; and many lovely cousins.
The graveside service was held on Friday, November 22, at 2 p.m. at the Pinecrest Cemetery in Atlanta, Texas. If desired, memorial donations may be made to American Bible Society or flowers may be sent to Hanner Funeral Home.