Though her time here was cut short, Robin Richardson Williams lived a blessed life full of music and love.
Her story began January 16, 1949. The youngest daughter of Floyd and Abbie Richardson, she was born in Warren, Arkansas, where she lived until she finished a very active high school career. Then she married David Kent Williams, her high school sweetheart, and moved away with him to Ouachita Baptist University. From there they moved to Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado, where Robin earned her Bachelor of Music Education. Later career moves had them in Charlottesville, VA; Mobile, AL; North Kingstown, RI; Greensboro, NC; and Point Pleasant, NJ. While in Rhode Island, Robin earned a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance.
Robin’s path to heaven was cleared by both of their sons, David Kent Williams, Jr. (2021) and Daniel Kyle (2001). She was also preceded in death by her father, Floyd Richardson, and her mother, Abbie Gibbe Richardson. Robin is survived by her husband of 57 years, David Kent Williams; grandson, Steven; and granddaughter, Kylie Ann. Other surviving family members include her brother Tommy Richardson (Cathy) of Warren, AR; her sister Jennifer Reilly (Mickey) of the Woodlands, TX; nieces Melissa Daniel (Cody), Carol Lee Little (Ben ); Cathy Lynn Worley (Mike); Anna Walker; and nephews Stephen Reilly (Monica) and .Gib Richardson (Kim) ; and her loving in-laws Sharon Raley (James); Deborah Green (Dennis); and John Williams (Gwen);as well as a huge cast of beloved friends.
As a master soprano, Robin both taught and performed. She served as a teacher of Applied Voice at Ouachita Baptist University and at various times taught private lessons. Robin’s real love was performing in operatic productions. She had leading roles with the Mobile, Atlanta, Greensboro and Lower Alabama Operas, and she played many parts with the Touring Theater Ensemble in Greensboro, NC. Her parts encompass everything from The Phantom of the Opera to Rigoletto, from Street Sceene and Man of La Mancha to Gianni Schiicchi and La Traviato. One of her favorite roles was in The Glass Menagerie, performed in New York and receiving high praise in the New York Times.
Robin enjoyed also enjoyed entertaining, decorating, travel, gardening playing the flute. But mostly she loved to sing.
Always active in her community, Robin became a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, (music fraternity), Women’s Welcome of Hot Springs, Hot Springs Flute Ensemble, Republican Women of Hot Springs, and DAR after she and David retired to Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs. They are members of the Faith Builders Connect Group here at First Baptist.
A celebration of Robin’s life will be held in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, 2350 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901, at 3:00 p.m., Monday, January 30, with Rev. Greg Stanley officiating. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 1:00.
Online condolences at www.caruth-hale.com
