Charles Edward Robinette

Charles “Charlie” Edward Robinette, Gate City, VA

Charles “Charlie” Edward Robinette, 76, Gate City, VA, passed away, Monday, March 11, 2024, at Holston Valley Medical Center. 

Charlie was born in Scott County, VA, on July 28, 1947, to the late Orlando Marcelous  “O.M.” Robinette, and Lillian (Taylor) Robinette. 

H was retired from Eastman, and was a Master Mason and a member of Masonic Lodge # 35 of Gate City, VA.

● The following is from his grandchildren.

Granddad was a good Christian man that made sure his grandkids knew the Lord, and that they

understood they were always loved, smart, and important. Granddad was a man of few words;

when he spoke, you listened, and the advice would be priceless. He helped his family on every

issue, from cars, to farmwork, and above all, in life and spirit. He worked hard to provide for his

family every day, often using the sun as a timer and refusing to quit until after dark. He listened

to The Beach Boys and The Eagles. He loved to listen to the song “Hot Rod Lincoln“ by

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. His favorite movie was Doctor Strange Love,

and he regularly enjoyed watching football, basketball, and westerns. He would pretend to be a

bullfighter, dog owner, and a cowboy with his youngest grandson when he was little and enjoyed

watching him play ball when he was older.

On his few days of rest, he would spend most evenings on the front porch swing smoking a

cigar in his overalls with Neena . He loved watching a big storm roll through. He also loved

farming and working with the cows. Most days, you could find him on the farm riding the tractor.

As his profession, he wrote safety manuals for Eastman for 42 years and could tell you every

potential hazard when his grandkids were involved.

He was nicknamed “Bone Breaker” by his grandkids due to the fact he had broken every rib 

at least once, maybe twice, and a knee. He often roasted marshmallows and hotdogs over the fire.

with his grandchildren. He enjoyed telling tall tales, such as being an astronaut, catching.

Bigfoot, standing 8 feet tall, wrestling a grizzly bear, and being a bathing suit model. It was his

goal in life for his family to be saved and know the Lord. He was always the person to lead the

prayer while holding hands during all family gatherings. He made sure to squeeze the hand of

the person that was holding his.

Granddad admired General George S. Patton and John Wayne. His favorite quote from General

Patton was, “By perseverance and study and eternal desire any man can be great.” His favorite

quote from John Wayne was, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”

He loved his family and supported his grandchildren in every way. He truly was the best person

and leader our family could have ever asked for. He was our world and will forever be our

Granddad.

In addition to his parents, his father and mother in-law, Oscar, and Berniece (Snodgrass) Peters, and aunt, Myrtle Jessee preceded him in death. 

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 57 years, Brenda Peters Robinette; daughter, Renee Robinette Light (Frank); sons, Chad Robinette (Margaret), and Clay Robinette (Samantha); sister, Dawn Robinette; brother, Bob Robinette (Judy); grandchildren, Gabe Robinette, Cole Robinette, Karson Light, Abbey Robinette, Keegan Light; and niece, Tiffany Scott. 

Graveside services will be conducted at 1:00p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Peters Family Cemetery, Gate City, VA, with Otis Bowen officiating. Andrea Lawson will provide the music. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 12:00p.m., to go in procession to the graveside service. 

Chad Robinette, Clay Robinette, Frank Light, Riley Davis, Keegan Light, Gabe Robinette, Cole Robinette, Thomas Calhoun, and Shannon Calhoun will serve as pallbearers. Bob Robinette, John Webb, Rio Pratt, Jeff Brickey, Noel Fuller, Dan McKinney, Roger Hall, and Roy Jessee will serve as honorary pallbearers. 

An online guest register is available for the Robinette family at www.gatecityfunerals.com. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gate City Fire Department, c/o, Jeff Brickey, 146 Bishop Street, Gate City, VA 24251.

Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Charles “Charlie” Edward Robinette.