Robin Wade Hendrick, 58, a loving husband, proud father, and community encourager, passed away on October 12th surrounded by his family and friends. He was confident in God’s promise “that we have passed from death to life because we love each other.”[1 John 3:14]. Robin was the son of the late Wanda Allen Hendrick and the late Mal Hendrick. Robin was blessed by his grandchildren, and they provided him the will and determination to battle cancer for many years.
Robin was a proud graduate of Shelby High School’s class of ‘74 and served as the Student Body President. He attended Western Carolina University. He worked briefly for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Goforth Industries. In 1976, he and his brother Bryon Hendrick began the family business, Hendrick Appliance Sales and Service. The customer-service based business is still operated today by their sons, Kelly and Eric, after 37 years. Robin was also involved in many business partnerships. These included ROB-BEN, Inc. with his brother in-law Benny Waldrep and nephew Stephen Waldrep, Delta Partners with Mike Holman and Benny Waldrep, R & M Development, and Next Generation-JaxBO with Ed Manns. He was a NC licensed plumber and realtor.
Robin was also a member of the Cleveland County Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors, a member of Woody Kennedy’s Willing Workers Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church. He was the first recipient of the Spirit of Freedom Award given by the Shelby Star, and he received the Honors Award given by the Foothills Merry Go Round Committee. The Main Street USA Distinction Award was given to him for the revitalization of the Shelby Supply Building. Robin worked to bring the YMCA to Cleveland County and was a founding board member. He was motivated by his love and vision for his community. He joined Destination Cleveland County and played a key role in bringing the Don Gibson Theater and Earl Scruggs Center to our community.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Marie Bowen Hendrick, daughter Amy Hendrick Buttrick and husband Brian Buttrick of Shelby, son Kelly Hendrick and wife Leslie Phifer Hendrick of Kings Mountain, NC, and four precious grandsons Wade Hendrick, Casey Hendrick, Brian Buttrick II and Austin Robin Buttrick. His siblings include Mike Hendrick and wife Esther, Connie Waldrep and husband Benny, Byron Hendrick and wife Sheila, Susan Melton and husband David, a special uncle Hal Hendrick and wife Dot, in-laws Kay and Larry Emery, John Ronald and Robin Bowen, and many nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and great nephews. He also leaves behind his K9 companion, Lucy.
His family wants to thank the community for the faithful prayers during his battle against cancer. We would also like to thank Sandra Alexander and Kristie Suttle, Hospice nurses who assisted the family in caring for Robin at home. The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. David Hurd of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and most recently Dr. Asim Amin at Levine’s Cancer Institute in Charlotte.
Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Shelby on Thursday, October 16th, at 11:30am. Services will be officiated by Rev. Tony Tench, Rev. Mike Hendrick, and Rev. Tim Hendrick. The family will receive friends immediately after the service in the Dover Activities Center at First Baptist Church.
The family requests consideration of memorials to be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 120 N. Lafayette St. Shelby, NC 28150; Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Dr. Shelby, NC 28150; Destination Cleveland County, PO Box 2063 Shelby, NC 28151or the donor’s choice.
