Charles Elmo Robbins

Charles Elmo Robbins, 86, of Valdese, NC, passed away at sunrise on Sunday, May 8, 2022 (Mother’s Day) at his home from bile duct cancer of the liver (perihilar cholangiocarcinoma).  Born in the Stotesbury area of Solphia, WV on July 8, 1935, he was the son of the late Henry W. Robbins and Lillian Edna Farthing Robbins.  While in WV he attended Sophia Freewill Baptist Church.

At the age of 10, the family moved to the Buffalo Cove area of Caldwell County, NC and attended Buffalo Cove Baptist Church.  Mr. Robbins was a veteran and reservist with the US Army for six years.  He was stationed at Ft. Bragg, Ft. Jackson, and Ft. Polk and traveled on the USS Butner to Nelligan and Stuttgart, Germany for eighteen months of service.

Before being drafted into the Army, he at worked for several years at Lenoir Furniture Corporation of Broyhill Furniture.  In 2000, he retired from the cabinet room of Drexel Heritage Plants 3 and 5 after 38 years of employment.

Mr. Robbins was a member of High Peak Baptist Church.

Charles is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Tilley Robbins; son, Gary L. Robbins; sister, Margie Deal; brother, Harold Robbins; cousin, Rev. Gurney Robbins; and sister-in-law, Betty Church.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by two half-brothers, Gene and Tony Robbins.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2022 at Burke Memorial Park with Rev. Kevin Purcell officiating.  Military honors will be provided by the NC National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to High Peak Baptist Church.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. William Johanson and staff, and the doctors and nurses at Grace Hospital for their care of Charles.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.