Jo Ann K Robinson

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Jo Ann Kendrick Robinson on April 28, 2025, at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC, following a cardiac event. She was 81.

Jo Ann Kendrick was born on January 21, 1944 in Dallas, TX, as the only child of John B and Faye Jean (Byrd) Kendrick. After spending one year at Texas Christian University, Jo Ann transferred to the University of Texas in Austin, where she graduated with a BS in Education in 1966. Her early career centered around education as an English teacher in Missouri. She later paused her career to become an officer’s wife in 1969, when her husband Richard Lee Robinson, joined the Air Force. Later, she went on to earn a Master of Education as a Reading Specialist from Wright State University in 1979. Embracing the new technology of personal computing, Jo Ann taught computer classes in the early 1980s and co-authored a guide titled “Public Domain Software - Games” at the Clifton Computer Learning Center in 1980. She also founded her own desktop publishing business, “The Word Depot”, helping organizations craft newsletters, brochures, and programs using her Apple IIe and later, moving to a Windows PC running Windows 95.

Jo Ann met Richard while playing pinball at a local bowling alley in college. In letting him join her at the machine, she unknowingly opened the door to a relationship that would span over six decades. Jo Ann and Richard married on September 12, 1964 while working to complete their college education. In Jo Ann, Richard found the partner of a lifetime who balanced out his logical engineer tendencies with her caring teacher perspective. Jo Ann’s 23 years of service to the Air Force took her and Richard to stations at Norton AFB and El Segundo, CA, where they welcomed their children, Kelli Lynn (daughter) and Brian Jay Robinson (son). They also spent time at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH, and at Andrews AFB (now Joint Base Andrews) in Maryland. She and Richard ultimately settled into their retirement years in Hillsborough, NC to be near family.

Jo Ann was a woman ahead of her time, with a broad range of interests in science and technology, but found career success as a teacher and educator. Jo Ann was a lifelong avid meteorologist, something she gained from her father alongside her passion for genealogy. She was an early-adopter of personal computing, and in retirement, a 16-year World of Warcraft gamer as “Japhyra”, forming her own guild “Rise of the Titans” on the platform.

Known for her intelligence, warmth, and generosity, Jo Ann volunteered at every military posting, contributing her time and expertise to the local libraries. She was an active and supportive presence in her children’s activities, most notably known as a Band Mom, Soccer Mom, and Volleyball Mom. Above all, Jo Ann was the foundation of her family, caring for everyone through all of life's stages, from sickness and health to toddlerhood and teenagerhood, and through every move order.

Jo Ann’s legacy lives on through those whose lives she touched. She is survived by her husband, Richard; her son, Brian Jay Robinson, and daughter-in-law Michelle Rene Robinson; her daughter, Kelli Lynn Hendrickson, and son-in-law Heath S. Hendrickson; three grandchildren, Tristan Jacob Robinson (30), Annaleise Jean Hendrickson (22), and Geneva Lee Hendrickson (20); and two great-grandchildren by way of Tristan and Deanna Robinson: Everleigh Faye Jolley (6) and Porter Rainne Robinson (9 months).

A visitation will be held on May 12, 2025, from 5-7pm at Walker’s Funeral Home in Hillsborough, NC. A graveside service will be held on May 13, 2025, at 11am at Walnut Grove Memorial Cemetery in Cedar Grove, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to “Tunnels to Towers” in Jo Ann’s honor.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all those who loved and celebrated Jo Ann throughout her lifetime.