WINSTON-SALEM - Sylvia Davis Robinson, 76, died peacefully surrounded by the love of her cherished family on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, from ovarian cancer. Celebrating her life and joy in their family are her husband, Dr. George Parks Robinson; daughter, Catherine Lynn Robinson; and granddaughter, Mary Bedford Monroe of Brentwood, TN; son, Dr. Greg Robinson and wife, Dr. Erin; and granddaughter, Emma Grace of Garner, NC; brother, and sister-in-law, Jack and Jeanne Davis of New York City; and sister, Nancy Robinson Goldstein of Griffin, GA. A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, November 14, 2010 at Centenary United Methodist Church. Prior to that, a family Committal Service will be held in the Columbarium of Centenary Church. Dr. Peter Graves, Dr. Bob Nations, and the Rev. Roland Barnhardt will conduct a worship celebration. Diagnosed with an advanced stage disease, Sylvia chose to fight it and live with joy through many recurrences. She embarked upon a mission to raise both awareness and research funding, leading ovarian cancer awareness sessions with gynecological rotations of third year WFUMC medical students as long as she was able. Active in many national cancer organizations, she relished involvement with those dedicated to researching both treatment and prevention. Married in 1956 to Rev. Dr. George Parks Robinson, she was born in Gastonia, NC and graduated from the public schools of Charlotte, NC. An Angier Duke Scholar, Robinson earned two degrees from Duke University in 1956, graduating summa cum laude with an AB in History and Masters in Teaching. A lifetime learner, she attended four other universities and several branches of the UNC system earning additional degrees, noting that she would always have the curiosity of a child. An enthusiastic, caring spirit, Robinson loved her years teaching in the Winston-Salem public schools' highly gifted program. Although she received state, regional, and national educational honors and awards, her greatest joy came from the achievements of her students--especially their more than 150 National History Day awards. Some seventh grade classes were enrolled in the first distance education African Studies course from UNC-CH. Following advance travel to negotiate collaborations, Robinson supervised academic year interaction between her students and their peers in Israel and Japan. Most significant to her was helping to recruit dozens to become educators. She believed deeply that teaching is the profession that nurtures all others. Robinson also established a consulting company and deeply valued her work to help establish the National Boards Professional Teaching Standards organization. Faithful in all she did, Robinson lived a life of vigor and purpose as a committed volunteer for Church youth work, teaching Sunday School, Lake Junaluska Lab Schools, and participating in Church choirs, Bible study and prayer groups, and received three United Methodist Women Lifetime Service Awards. Spiritual Director for a recent term for the UMW and officer in the Southeastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Ministers' Spouses, she served additional organizations including chairs of scouting and PTA service, a High Point University trustee, Stephen Minister at Centenary United Methodist Church, Altar Guild, Reynolda House Docent, Old Salem, a mentor for new teachers and as a Forsyth County Board of Elections precinct judge. Even when homebound with treatments for advanced ovarian cancer, she continued close contact with dear friends and completed national assignments with three volunteer organizations. listening regularly to her pastors sparked her still growing faith. Tending and sharing hydroponic vegetables brought delight daily. She adored reading poetry sitting near her green tea plants and receiving dark chocolate from dear friends. During her long cancer journey, her hobbies included reading, travel, online courses, internet games, dancing, serious music appreciation, fun with a recorder, birdwatching, yoga, pilates, participating in over twenty global educational listservs, and ACC sports. A close friend described her as having the endearing, enduring talent of friendship that seeks to elevate those around her to heights of goodness or performance. Highest tributes and deepest gratitude are offered to Dr. Rolland Barrett and his remarkable staff at Forsyth Regional Cancer Center and to the loving hands of all the staff at Hospice & Palliative Care Center of Winston-Salem. The family would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to everyone who has supported us on this journey. In lieu of memorials, kindly consider writing notes of appreciation and gratitude to teachers important to your family or volunteering at your neighborhood school. Memorials would be greatly appreciated by the Radio Ministry of Centenary United Methodist Church, Box 658, Winston-Salem, NC, 27102 or Hospice & Palliative Care Center of Winston-Salem, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal from November 12 to November 13, 2010