Age 64, of Flint, Michigan, succumbed to complications of pancreatic cancer at home in her sleep on October 26, 2024. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Expressions of sympathy may be shared on Robin’s Tribute Wall at detroitcremationsociety.com.

Robin Michelle Maynard was born on September 14, 1960, in Atlanta, Georgia, the daughter of Mr. James “Duke” Edward Maynard and Mrs. Peggy Joyce Maynard (Norwood). In life, she was a devoted partner to the late Johnny Lee Culp, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and was a loving, nurturing, mother and care giver to her three children Joshua, Jonas, and Emma, seven grandchildren Elijah, Sean, Isaac, Julien, Arianna, JaQuez, and Cora, and a devoted rock to lean on for her niece Brooke Maynard, nephew, Duane Ekern Jr., and grand niece, Kadynce Beth Singer, who survive her. She was preceded in death by her partner, Johnny, her brother, Lincoln, her sister, Kristie, and her niece, Amanda. Robin was the true matriarch of her family name and leaves a great hole in the hearts of all who knew her with her passing. Her capacity to love and care for the people in her life selflessly and unyieldingly will be forever missed, and her surviving relatives will be forever grateful for her presence in their lives.

Robin endured a tumultuous childhood and lived, at times, in Atlanta, Chicago, Palatka, Florida, among other places, and eventually settled in Flint, Michigan. She graduated from Hamady High School in 1978 and, as a single mother, earned her baccalaureate from the University of Michigan in 1982. She was an activist for women’s rights and against nuclear proliferation during her young adulthood. She met the love of her life, Johnny, in 1983, and made a life with him until his passing in 2007. Robin broke the cycle of addiction which had plagued previous generations of her family and dedicated her life to her community in the late 80’s and throughout the 90’s, endeavoring to revitalize the Carriage Town and West Village neighborhoods in Flint, Michigan, through her non-profit work. She exampled compassion and gratefulness to her children, teaching them to volunteer during neighborhood clean ups in Carriage Town and often welcomed “stray” neighborhood kids off the street into her home to feed them and show them kindness and mentorship. She was a breast cancer survivor for over 25 years before being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in July of 2024.

People who knew her will remember Robin for her sense of humor, her intellect, for her caring and giving nature, and for her smile, which could light up a room. She would often strike up conversations with complete strangers and truly found fulfillment in brightening up life in whatever ways she could for those around her, even if only through a kind word in passing with someone. She loved BINGO, true crime shows, and reality shows like Survivor and Big Brother. She loved to cook and loved to uphold holiday family traditions and rituals. Her favorite season was Autumn. Being ever frugal was important to her always. She loved to thrift shop, sew, craft, and to take on DIY home projects. She enjoyed watching sports including football, but more so basketball: “Who wouldn’t like watching all those muscular black men in shorts!” she’d say. Robin was one of a kind. She was low ego, down to earth, but tough as nails too. She was a very direct communicator and knew how to engage tough conversations head on. She was a courageous woman in many ways. Later in life she earned two Master’s Degrees from the University of Michigan, including a Master’s of Public Administration.

In addition to her close family Robin leaves behind many many special friends and extended family: Alfreda McEwen-Tipton, Shawn Lee McEwen, Arron McEwen, Dominique McEwen, Duane Ekern Sr., Curtis Slaughter, Rachel Maynard, Queen Powell, Randi Friedman, Kathy Lawrence and family, Thom Sterling and family, her sister Tammy and the McQuaid family, Cassi Cordell, John Cordell, Chad Keeney, Jay Maynard, Kale Purdy, Gunner Hurt, Zyler Cooler, Asherblu H. Owen Maynard, August Grey Maynard, and Eric Rigaux Jr., as well as many, many others who will miss her forever, and be forever grateful that they were lucky enough to have Robin be a part of their lives.

We love you and will miss you forever! Rest in peace, Mama, Meemaw, Robin.