Mr. Robert Haskins, of Riverdale, passed on January 14, 2013.

Celebration of life for Mr. Robert H. Haskins, Jr. will be held Saturday, January 19, 2013 11:00 a.m. at Central UMC, 501 Mitchell Street, Rev. Byron E. Thomas, Sr. Pastor, officiating, Interment Forest Hills Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Robert “Bob” Haskins, Jr. was born in Petersburg, Virginia on July 27, 1949 to the late Mr. Robert Haskins, Sr. and Mrs. Sallie Mae Haskins. Robert received Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. Upon moving to Atlanta, Georgia, Robert joined Central United Methodist Church on December 1, 1985. Robert received his early education in the public schools of Virginia and graduated from Maggie Walker High School in 1968. He received an Associate degree from Clinton Jr. College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. Robert was employed by the Atlanta Public School System, Georgia Power, the City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation Department, and Fulton County Parks and Recreation Department where he retired in 2006 after twenty-five year of service. While employed by the parks and recreation department, Robert coached basketball, soccer, and track, refereed games and mentored youths, several of whom now play in the NBA and the NFL. He received numerous awards and recognition for his outstanding work with youths in Fulton County. After retiring, Robert was hired by Central UMC as a staff sexton where he served faithfully until death. He cultivated an exceptional ministry with the homeless community that frequented the church, and helped them out with shoes, food and clothes. Bob showed us how to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. He would give you the shoes off his feet. Robert was an avid basketball fan. He played basketball with the 40 and Over Men’s League at the Ben Hill Recreation Center. In fact, he loved all sports and was a supporter of the Atlanta Falcons, and the Morris Brown Wolverines. Robert was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Robert Haskins, Sr., brother, Mr. Charles Haskins and sister, Ms. Ramona Haskins Brown. Robert is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Mrs. Clementine “Peanut” Haskins and one daughter, Ms. Monique T. Haskins; mother, Mrs. Sallie Haskins; sister, Mrs. Dorothy Battson of Dallas, Texas; aunt, Mrs. Marie Yates of Los Angeles, California; mother-in-law, Mrs. Mattie Barkley of Forsyth, Georgia; sisters-in-law, Mrs. Freida B. White & Ms. Hazel Barkley, a host of friends, nieces, nephews, two godchildren, and a devoted friend, Mr. Dennis White.

Visitation Friday, January 18, 2013 from 12 to 9:00 p.m. at Grissom-Clark Funeral Home, 227 East Lake Dr. (at Memorial Dr.) 404-373-3191 www.grissom-clarkfh.com.