11/20/1909 – 12/3/2011
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Rema attended Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (now Tennessee Technological University) in Cookeville, Tennessee and graduated in 1932 with a B.S. degree in History. She was elected Miss Tech, the most coveted superlative for a female student and was also named Wittiest Girl. Rema was a member of the “T” Club at Tech lettering all four years in Basketball. It was at Tech that Rema met her future husband, Morris Lee Robbins. Rema had a life-long dedication to and passion for Tennessee Tech. Until this year, she had only missed one Tech Homecoming. After her graduation, Rema returned to Wartburg to teach school for two years, and then on May 22, 1934 she married Morris Lee at St. Pauls’ Lutheran Church in Wartburg. Rema and Morris Lee had two children, Dr. Morris Lee Robbins, Jr. and Louisa Robbins Mesich. After the family returned from New York, where Morris Lee served during World War II, Rema became actively involved with her children’s schools serving several times as PTA president as well as president of the Cookeville Central High Band Boosters.
Rema and Morris Lee were members of the Broad Street (now Jefferson Avenue) Church of Christ in Cookeville. Rema taught 6th grade Sunday School at Jefferson Avenue for many years. Rema and Morris Lee moved next door to their daughter on Signal Mountain in May 1988 and immediately became members of the Signal Mountain Church of Christ. It is that church family that has provided support and the dearest of friendships over these past 23 years. Morris Lee passed away on July 13, 1991. He and Rema had been married 57 years.
Survivors include her daughter, Louisa Robbins Mesich and husband Dr. Larry Mesich of Signal Mountain; son, Dr. Morris Lee Robbins and his wife Lauren Dee Robbins of Memphis; grandchildren, Lawrence F. Mesich of Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Mary Lauren Mesich and husband Adam White of Louisville, Ky. and Douglas C. Mesich of Knoxville. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011 at 4 p.m. at the Signal Mountain Church of Christ With Minister Greg Nance and Minister C.G.Griffith officiating. A reception followed in the church Fellowship Hall. Interment will be Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the City Cemetery in Cookeville, Tn. with Minister Charles Williamson officiating. The family received friends at Signal Mountain Church of Christ Monday evening, Dec. 5, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Signal Mountain Church of Christ or to your favorite charity. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel 404 S. Moore Rd. Chattanooga, Tn. and Schubert Funeral Home, Wartburg. [Morgan County News]