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. She attended Southern Methodist University where she majored in music and was a member of Mortar Board and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. 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 in Dreux, France 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 teaching lineage of Beethoven and Dr. Eugene Ellsworth. She taught music in Dallas public schools before marrying Robert in 1956 and they relocated to Grand Isle, LA, for his position as a geologist for Humble Oil. The couple later moved to New Orleans where their three daughters were born, and then moved 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 taught Sunday schools and women’s Bible studies and served on the Administrative Board at Highland Park United Methodist Church; taught piano students for a span of 40 years; 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 DFW Airport Chaplaincy to establish chapels in every terminal.
While in Jackson, MS, Robin and Robert were members of Holy Trinity Anglican Church. Robin joined the local DAR, ZTA alumni chapters, and was a member of the Southern Luncheon Club.
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. Hogan Vinson (Wade) of Houston, TX; daughter Susan Williams Haas (John) of Austin, TX; 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 City, 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.
A graveside service was held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Pine Crest Cemetery in Atlanta, Texas. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 432 Bozeman Rd., Madison, MS 39110.
