Mr. James Kimbal Robinson, 66, of Marshall, NC, went home to be with the Lord on March 28th after a series of declining health events and a courageous battle with cancer. In Heaven, he is reunited with his beautiful wife of 41 years and the love of his life, Sherry Shelton Robinson.

James was the son of the late Earl and Latrelle Robinson. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Kevin Robinson; his mother-in-law, Ada Jean Shelton; two nieces, Nicole Robinson and Robbie Sams; and a nephew, Justin Robinson.

James is survived by his loving daughter, Monica Robinson Ponder, and son-in-law, Jason Ponder. He is also survived by his sister, Karen Sams (Gary); brothers, Keith Robinson (Pat) and Kris Robinson; and father-in-law, Arthur Shelton (Kyle). James also shared a special bond with his sisters-in-law: Wilma Hensley (Tim), Teresa Holmes (Hank), Sheila Fox (Eddie), and Andrea Faunce (John). He was blessed with lifelong friends who were like brothers to him, Ray Cantrell and Roy Shelton. James leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

James was a lifelong resident of Madison County. He and his wife owned and operated Momma's Kitchen, a beloved local restaurant. Sherry, affectionately known as "Momma," prepared made-from-scratch Southern comfort food, while James worked mostly behind the scenes. A man of incredible skill and dedication, he harvested and milled timber from his family's farm to build the restaurant himself—nail by nail, board by board—in the mid-1980s. James had a natural talent for fixing anything that needed repair, handling maintenance at their family business—from welding and electrical work to plumbing, construction, roofing, and painting. And in a pinch, he firmly believed that there wasn't much a little duct tape and caulking couldn't fix. In the early morning hours before the restaurant opened, James could always be found at 'his table,' enjoying a big country breakfast lovingly prepared by his wife.

Beyond the restaurant, James was a hardworking farmer, growing large crops of tobacco, tomatoes, pumpkins, and garden vegetables. He also provided many Madison County residents with firewood—logging trees, cutting and splitting wood, and delivering load after load in his trusty red dump truck. Skilled and at ease with heavy machinery, James operated everything from bulldozers and backhoes to tractors and lawnmowers with the same steady hand that defined his life's work.

James also had an adventurous spirit. In his younger years, he rode dirt bikes and motorcycles, raced cars at Amboy Speedway in Asheville, enjoyed snow skiing at Sugar Mountain in Boone and water skiing behind many speedboats. He also had an appreciation for vintage cars, restoring several classics over the years, including multiple '57 Chevys, a '68 Camaro, and several '69 pickup trucks.

James was a devoted husband and father. From a young age, he taught his daughter to do just about anything he could do. She was his sidekick—riding shotgun in his truck, perched beside him on the tractor seat, and working alongside him in the fields. When his son-in-law, Jason, joined the family, James was thrilled to welcome him into the fold and took great pride in supporting his work on their own farm.

James was known for his witty nature and as an avid storyteller who loved to laugh. He could entertain others for hours, sharing tales from days gone by or recounting something that had happened just recently. His sense of humor stayed with him right up until his final days, bringing joy to all who knew him.

After retirement, he loved spending time outdoors. He enjoyed camping with family in his RV, visiting Dollywood, and relaxing at the lake. He also loved puttering around on his ATV and tending to his shrubs and flowers.

A member of Freedom Christian Church in Marshall, James was above all else most thankful for his salvation and the promise of Heaven that awaited beyond this life. He often repeated throughout the day, 'Bless You, Lord.' Even in the most difficult moments, James never lost sight of the Lord's grace, finding peace and strength in his faith.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Compassionate Care of WNC Hospice, especially his nurses—Heather Proffitt, Anita Willis, and April Thomas—who were truly angels on Earth during his illness. They extend their thanks to the staff at Mashburn Medical Center, including Dr. Curry Jones, his longtime family physician, whose compassion and graciousness were evident in every visit. The family's appreciation also goes to the Mashburn Pharmacy team—Dr. Julie Applegate, Laura Lucas, and Lance Metcalf—for their kindness and responsiveness to every need.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 4, 2025, in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral and Cremation Service, with Reverends Eddie Fox and Dennis Anderson officiating. James' sister-in-law, Sheila, and several original members of the Freedom Singers—a group his wife sang in for many years—will also share in song. Burial will follow at Station Gap Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM at the funeral home prior to the service.

Online condolences may be sent to he family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.