Anna Robinson and her dad, Chris, have continued the family business of Robinson Funeral Home. Brian Swords (right) of the Easley Chamber presented the Robinson family with a plaque for their 150 years of service to the Easley community.
Jeff Holt | The Easley Progress
Chris Robinson spoke on Sunday afternoon at the 150th anniversary of Robinson Funeral Home. Over 200 people showed up in support for the big event.
Jeff Holt | The Easley Progress
EASLEY — It would be easy for Chris Robinson to get all wrapped up in fancy titles. He could, easily.
He is currently the President of the National Funeral Directors Association.
But last Sunday afternoon, in honor of the 150th year for Robinson Funeral Home, Robinson stood tall at the podium — on a bright and sunny day — in front of several family members, friends and local residents. He talked about the core values of his local funeral home with words like sacrifice, duty and honor.
“We are blessed with so many loyal families over the years,” he said. “It is a great honor. We have the state-of-the-art facilities, but it is the people who make the difference. Most of all, it is so important that we listen to the families that we are serving. We learn about their loved one and what made them special, and we make recommendations that their ceremony is meaningful.”
Continued Robinson, “We look forward to a bright future with our outstanding team of funeral professionals. I’m looking forward to great things unfolding with this team and Anna (Robinson) as the fifth generation. The best is yet to come. May God continue to bless us to serve the best of our ability, as we march into the future. I just thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. I really appreciate it.”
The town of Easley was established in 1874 and — a year later — the early roots of Robinson Funeral Home were established on Main Street in Easley. They started selling things like wagons, buggies, furniture, fertilizers and anything they needed to survive.
“Later, we added a ‘coffin store’ as my father would put it, for wooden caskets,” Robinson said. “It was a natural progression. Farmers would come down from their fields with their crops and they would buy a coffin from us, and bury their loved ones on their own family land. But as the needs of the farmers and the families changed, our businesses evolved to meet the changing consumer preferences.
“Had it not been for the railroad, Easley probably would not have existed and definitely our business would not have existed,” he continued. “We were joking earlier that a train will probably come by during this ceremony, but it doesn’t really bother me because that is our lifeline.”
Robinson noted how the business was able to withstand the Panic of 1919, 1926, The Great Depression, two World Wars and many other economic and world war challenges.
For everyone in attendance, there were also refreshments and a couple of tables inside of the great family tradition of the Robinson family.
“It’s a great day to celebrate 150 years,” said Anna Robinson. “It’s our anniversary and it is a great to see the community come together. It’s the reason we’ve been able to be in business for so long. Being able to give back and celebrate is really nice. For me growing up, it has been part of my life. Now being able to work in it, has brought a whole new meaning to my life.”
Anna went on to say about her dad, Chris, “He’s not only a great boss, but a great father.”
Brian Swords, the President/CEO of the Easley Chamber of Commerce, also gave a special plaque and spoke at the podium about the success and longevity of Robinson Funeral Home in the Easley area.
Reach Jeff Holt at 864-855-0355.