Robena Henley Medbery

Robena Claire Henley Medbery, 88, widow of Col. Clinton A. Medbery, Jr, of Charleston SC died at home on May 14, 2012.

The relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral services Friday, May 18, 2012 in The Second Presbyterian Church at 1:00 p.m. Interment, Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, Thursday between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Robena, known to her family as Totsy, was born in Monteagle, TN on Nov 18, 1923. The daughter of William Bryan and Jesse Jacobs Henley, she grew up with her brothers Escoe and James, and her sisters Elwanda and Rita in Huntsville AL. She lived on The Citadel campus for over 30 years, where her husband was a professor of Chemistry. She was a president of The Citadel Women's Club, and served for many years as the hostess at her beloved church, Second Presbyterian, of which she has been a member since 1952. She was also a volunteer docent for the Historic Charleston Foundation at the Nathaniel Russell House and for the Middleton Foundation at the Edmonston-Alston House. She was an avid bridge player, and enjoyed her weekly bridge clubs as well as her book club until just a few weeks before her death. She traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states (many by tent camping), all continents, all oceans, and proudly crossed both the Arctic and Antarctic circles. The physical limitations that came with age did not end her travels; they were merely new challenges to tackle along the way. Hers was an adventurous spirit, and her thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. The world truly was her oyster.

Ogden Nash said: "Senescence begins /And middle-age ends /The day your descendants /Outnumber your friends". By his definition, Robena died in middle age, surrounded as she was by loving family, but even more loving friends. She will be sadly missed by all, and especially by her children Laura S. Morris (Bill) of Mt Pleasant; Dr. Clinton A. Medbery III (Jennie) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Dr. Charles H. Medbery (Lucie) of Overland Park, Kansas; and Dr. Robena E. Medbery (James Maugeri) of Fayetteville, Georgia; her sister Elwanda Hallman of Huntsville, Alabama; her six grandchildren Cynthia M. Holmes, Kathleen M. Adams, Ashley M. Floyd, Clinton A. Medbery IV, Laura M. Pelkey, and Elizabeth C. Medbery; and her five great grandchildren, Richie, Frankie, Garrett, Ethan, and Lauren; and her longtime caregiver, Margaret Simmons.

Contributions may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting St., Charleston, SC. 29403.

"Home is the sailor, home from the sea.
And the hunter, home from the hill" R.L. Stevenson