Suzanne “Suzy” Spalding Robbins

Suzanne “Suzy” Spalding Robbins, 89, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025 in Nashville, TN, after moving to live with family.

Suzy was born in Blytheville, Arkansas, on August 30, 1935, to Norbert and Claribel Hunt Spalding. The family moved to The Shoals after her father opened a pharmacy in Sheffield. Suzy graduated from Sheffield High School, where she lettered in cheerleading and attended the University of Mississippi where she was also a proud cheerleader. She subsequently graduated from Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. Suzy took over her father’s pharmacy, Spalding’s Walgreen Drugstore, in downtown Sheffield after his death in 1961. Following a successful career working for Roche Pharmaceuticals, Suzy retired and took up ballroom dancing, a passion for which she will always be remembered. She founded the North Alabama Ballroom Dance Association and spent many years teaching private dance lessons, as well as through the UNA continuing education program. She found great happiness in hosting monthly dances and sharing that joy with others. Suzy bravely fought and beat cancer twice, a testament to her strong spirit and love for life.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, William “Bill” Robbins; son, Huston Patton, Jr.; parents, Norbert and Claribel Spalding; sisters, Norma Clare Pyron and Sandy Rogers; daughter, Ruth Robbins; her niece Mary Beth Pyron; and her first husband Ernest Huston Patton, Sr.

She is survived by her sister, Sherrie Berry; daughters, Kelley Connolly (Tim), Lyndi Patton, Mary Robbins (Jerry); grandsons, Adam Connolly (Lauren), Aaron Connolly (Ken), Tyler Gura (Kathryn), and Luke Gura; granddaughters, Katie McLellan (Sowmya) and Alex McLellan; great grandchildren, Hazel and Chip Connolly; niece, Chris Berry; nephew, Spalding Pyron (Johnette); and grandnieces, Paige Darrah, Leslie Pyron, and Rae Berry.

Her family would like to extend a special thanks to Suzy’s dear friends throughout The Shoals and her close neighbors in Indian Springs for all they did for Suzy over the years.

There will be a visitation this Saturday, June 21, 10:00 – 12:00 at Elkins Funeral Home, 1535 Hermitage Dr, Florence, AL 35630. Family graveside service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Suzy’s memory may be made to the Huston Patton, Jr. Memorial Scholarship at UNA or the American Cancer Society.

You are invited to leave condolences at www.elkinsfuneralhome.com.

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