Bernice Elmira Lucas Robbins

Bernice Elmira Lucas Robbins 1927-2015 Bernice Elmira Lucas Robbins passed away on June 18, 2015. She was born on September 4, 1927 in Bay Springs, FL to the late Laura Etta Barks Lucas and Robert Lee Lucas. She and her seven siblings grew up “in the country” on the family farm during the Depression – poor but happy; she recalled that life was good, they were loved, and well cared for. She attended 1st through 8th grade at Enon School then graduated at age 16 as the Valedictorian of Ernest Ward High School class of 1944. Career-minded from the beginning, she came to Pensacola and “marched down Palafox Street” with her report card and diploma in hand and landed her first job at Gilmore Jewelers. She went on to work in the lab at Borden Dairy then out to St. Regis paper mill. During these years she married and had one son, Robert Paul Fillingim, born January 5, 1954. After several years as a homemaker, at age 35 fate compelled her to become the family breadwinner, so she entered nursing school at Pensacola Junior College. As an RN she went to work for Baptist Hospital’s OB/GYN and Labor and Delivery departments in 1964. Soon after, she was offered the position of Director of Baptist’s newly contracted Student Health Clinic for the University of West Florida. Now the single parent of a teenager, she accepted the offer and during her tenure at the clinic, she went on to earn her BSN and ultimately her Masters in Psych Nursing. But she would say her most gratifying endeavor was mentoring the stream of young women and men engaged in the work-study program, encouraging them to succeed in college and seek a career in healthcare. She remained director of the on-campus clinic until her retirement in October 2009. In the midst of her “career years”, again fate would intervene to reconnect Bernice with her high school sweetheart, William D. “Bill” Robbins, who had returned to the area after years of duty and travel with military and civil service. They got reacquainted in 1976 and were married in 1977. In the years that followed she worked at UWF, he at NAS, and in the meantime they planned, designed, and built their “dream home” in Pace overlooking the sparkling diamond blue waters and fiery sunsets of Escambia Bay. Eventually they would both retire and enjoy the beautiful view, the birds, the day lilies, and tranquil walks together on their quiet bayside lane. Evenings usually included watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune back to back, followed by Dancing With the Stars or the occasional Braves game. Bernice loved the arts – theater, opera, the symphony, the galleries, and she was an avid reader. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers Marvin, RJ, and Dick Lucas. She is survived by her husband Bill Robbins; her son Robert Fillingim and grandchildren Keaton Fillingim, and Sheila and Jeffrey Richardson; her step-son Mike Robbins and grandsons Nathan (Jenny) and Kurt; her step-daughter Anne Gay (Charles) and grandson Michael (Brittney); one brother Phillip (Charlotte) Lucas; three sisters Elaine Booker, Yvonne Obren, Ellen Settle, and sister-in-law Charlotte (Dick) Lucas; and a host of nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. Words cannot express how deeply she will be missed. Flowers are accepted or donations may be made in honor of Bernice Robbins to Pensacola State College Foundation.

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Bernice Elmira Lucas Robbins

September 4, 1927 - June 18, 2015