Willa Dean Robinson

November 27, 1934 - April 21, 2020

Willa Dean Tiller Robinson, 85, of Inez, entered into her heavenly home on April 21, 2020 at her residence, surrounded by her loving daughter and son-in-law. She was born on November 27, 1934 to the late Hiram & Alice (Parsley) Tiller in Little Petercave, KY. The third of seven children, Willa Dean learned the value of hard work, became an expert cook, and developed her caring nature at an early age, as she tended to the family farm and helped care for her siblings. She proudly became the first in her family to graduate high school in 1954, and then the first to attend college. As a young 19-year-old, she began her 34-year teaching career in a one-room school building in Caney. Simultaneously attending her own classes while teaching, she graduated from the former Pikeville College in 1959. She met and married the love of her life, Earnest Robinson, in 1957. Together, they had a daughter, Lelia Irene, and built a home on Wolf Creek. They were happily married for 22 years until Earnest's death in 1980. Shortly after, Willa Dean gained a son-in-law, Mike Goble, and together she, her mother Alice, Irene, and Mike moved to Coldwater, where she lived the rest of her life. Once her granddaughter, Ernay, was born and her mother began aging, Willa Dean retired from her long teaching career in 1988 to assume the role of a loyal and full-time caregiver. She had served hundreds of children in Martin County at Warfield Elementary, Pigeon Roost Elementary, Warfield High School, and Sheldon Clark High School. It was rare for "Mrs. Robinson" to be in public and not be greeted by a warm smile, hug, and fond memories from a former student or coworker. Many students commented that she was always fair and made them all feel equal, and she was proud of that. Her retirement days were filled with trips to downtown Inez with Ernay to get the mail from the post office, groceries from Inez ShopRite, and hotdogs from Maynard's Restaurant. She often referred to those days as her best. She also cared for her mother, Alice, until her death in 1993. She was a very active member of the Martin County Retired Teachers Association, serving many roles to include president. She was also on the board of directors for the Martin County Senior Citizens Center. She joined the Goble family on many vacations to the beach, Colonial Williamsburg, and other places, and she rarely missed a game or competition in which Ernay was participating. To say she had a full life would be an understatement, and it all revolved around a family that she fervently loved and defended, even if they were wrong. Willa Dean was the epitome of a matriarch. Willa Dean is preceded in death by her parents, Hiram & Alice, siblings Arthur Tiller, Irene Tiller, Dennis "Buster" Tiller, Rebecca Jane Tiller, Avonell (Tiller) Jude, and Thelma (Tiller) Johnson, and her spouse, Earnest Robinson. Survivors include her daughter, Irene Goble and son-in-law, Mike, of Inez, KY, and granddaughter, Ernay Adams, her husband, Josh, and great-grandsons William & Brendan Adams, all of Huntington, WV. Though she was growing tired, weak, and restless, "Mawmaw's" final days were filled with great joy, as she got to see her great-grandsons daily, greeting them with arms spread wide, and she enjoyed watching them play. She leaves a great void in the hearts of her family that can truly never be filled, but the memories and legacy she leaves will continue. She was also blessed with a host of family, friends, and students that will miss her phone conversations, warm smile, and hugs. In her final months when Irene & Ernay knew the time was drawing near, Willa Dean made her wishes for her final earthly moments clearly known. The family fulfilled her wishes of only having a private graveside service on Saturday, April 25, 2020, where she was laid to rest beside of Earnest and her parents at Mountain View Memory Gardens in Maher, WV. Speakers included Mike Goble, Terry Spence, and Will Adams. Arrangements were under the direction of Callaham Funeral Home in Inez, KY. The family would like to extend its warmest gratitude to Dr. Melissa Fletcher and staff, Three Rivers Home Health, & Community Hospice for their care & support during a very difficult time.