Ronnie Robinson
Age - 76
November 23, 2023
Ronnie "Big R" Robinson, Sr. , age 76, of the Pleasant Gap Community, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 19th, 2023. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Lawrence and Pauline Buchanan Robinson. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Hilda Higgins Robinson and walked hand in hand into heaven with his son, Ronnie "Robbie" Robinson, II. Ronnie's love for music was ignited at the tender age of five when he received his first guitar and toy piano. His parents realized he had a rare gift and profound passion for music when he was able to replicate the advertising jingles he heard on local radio. Music wasn't just his love, music was a part of his soul. Like the pied piper, in elementary school, Ronnie led his adoring female fans around the playground while playing the guitar and serenading them with "Love Me Tender", Elvis had nothing on Big "R". His love for music grew and blossomed in his teen years when he and his friends Truitt Randolph and Bill Fuller were invited to perform on "The Arthur Smith Show" in Charlotte. Ronnie wowed his high school and earned the nickname "Cramer" during a talent show by adding his own personal flare and smooth vocals to the slip notes of legendary Floyd Cramer's "Last Date". Stages continued to open for Ronnie as he was asked to open for Del Reeves on The High Chaparral TV show, as well as Jerry Lee Lewis in 1965. Later in his career, several famous musicians such as Reba McEntyre, Merle Haggard's wife, Leona Williams, Sawyer Brown, Gene Watson and Steve Wariner. In 1965, he married Hilda Higgins, a beautiful young girl whose piercing blue eyes had captured his heart when he was just a young boy. Too young to have drivers license, the 15 yr old Ronnie took his new bride to Maryland on a bus. Captured by the soulful sounds of Ray Charles while in Maryland, he became a member of a fourteen-piece soul band. His musical passions took a dramatic turn and his love of country music was born when he heard the steel guitar runs on an album of Buck Owens. After this change in musical genres, Ronnie packed up his belongings and brought his young wife back to his home in North Carolina. In the late 1960's, Ronnie and his best friends, David Boone, Wade Harding and Ira Thomas formed The Rhythm Kings and his passion for music grew even more. Ronnie not only played guitar and piano, but he could pick up most any instrument, like banjo, steel guitar and harmonica and play it as if he had always known how to play. To support his growing family, Ronnie did grading and construction work, as well as restoring old cars, but continued performing whenever possible. Several years later, he found himself working full-time for a gentleman who owned a construction company and, ironically, also an entertainment business in Hickory, NC called Country Adventures Barbecue Barn. "The Barbecue Barn", as it was known to the locals, served country barbecue followed by entertainment and dancing. From 1983 until 1990, Ronnie somehow found the time to work, smoke all the meats for the restaurant, then perform on Friday and Saturday nights. In 1988, at the age of 15 yr, his son Robbie started performing with him at the Barbecue Barn. Robbie's soulful bass licks rounded out the already popular band. When Country Adventures closed, Ronnie became a deputy with the Yancey County Sheriff's Department for several years. Ronnie left the Sheriff's Department to work for the NC Department of Motor Vehicles serving the community with a contagious smile and hearty laugh until retirement. In 1998, while still at the DMV, he and a group of friends started The Can't Hardly Play Boys and performed together for many years. After retirement, he was free to pursue music full time. Music was in Ronnie's soul, but his heart belonged to his family. He loved Hilda, Dawn and Robbie with his whole being. When Robbie was in a tragic car accident in 2013, Ronnie laid down his music to care selflessly for his son. To Dawn and Robbie, he was and always will be the perfect Daddy. Ronnie considered David Boone and Truitt Randolph, not only his best friends, but also his lifelong brothers. He will always be remembered as a man of his word who spent his lifetime trying to help others. He had an infectious smile that will never be forgotten. Surviving is his daughter, Dawn Walker and husband, Jason, of Pleasant Gap; sister-in-law, Amelia Higgins Price of Green Sea, SC; brothers-in-law: Donald Higgins of Pleasant Gap and Frank Higgins of Lineboro, MD. He was also a "gampaw" to Sargeant Pepper Walker, his little buddy and granddog. Numerous friends also survive. A public visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p. m. on Wednesday, November 29th at Yancey Funeral Services for friends to say their goodbyes and sign a guest registry. A private graveside service will be held at a later date in the Fred Young Cemetery. Pastor Wesley Ward will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to Double Island Fire Department at 5360 Double Island Road, Green Mountain, NC 28740, Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject. org or to the family.Show more
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