Hayward “Derek” Robinson, 74, of Tifton passed away Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at his residence surrounded by his loved ones. His funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Brookfield Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Davis and the Rev. Gary Cadwell officiating. Derek will be laid to rest at Tift Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Brookfield Baptist Church.
Jeffery McClendon, James Wilson, Clay Tucker, Wesley Stephens, Ken Harper and Ricky Nugent will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Brookfield Baptist Church.
Born May 7, 1951, in Moultrie, Derek was the son of the late Hayward Samuel Robinson and Mary Laverne Bishop Kerr and step-father, Ed Kerr. In addition to his parents and step-father, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Sarah Roberts Burton, Mary “Wanda” Robinson and Sherry Godwin; and one granddaughter, Addie Belle Smith.
His career spanned 33 years with the City of Tifton (1977-2010) and he retired as Superintendent of the Natural Gas Department. He also served as a welding instructor for Moultrie Technical College in Tifton.
Derek was a faithful member of Brookfield Baptist Church, where he served in many roles, including Sunday School teacher, discipleship training teacher, an important part of the van ministry and part of the Outreach ministry as well as helping his wife in the church nursery.
Since 1968, he had been involved in barrel-racing, which he loved, and he was a member of Deep Dixie, and the National Barrel Horse Association.
Besides his wife and daughters, his most cherished possessions were his grandkids, who he was known to as Pa D. He found great joy in watching each one grow, celebrating milestones, and being there for every moment – big and small.
Derek leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Debbie Hancock Robinson of Tifton; his children, Brandi and Jack Weeks of Norman Park and Jodi and Clay Smith of Tifton; and his grandchildren, Spencer, Jackson and Dallas Weeks and Gracie and Bella Grace Smith. He also leaves behind his siblings and their spouses, David and Gwen Robinson of Omega, Maury and Margaret Kerr of Orlando, Florida, Jonathan and Laura Kerr of Pensacola, Florida and Diane Kerr of Alliance, Ohio; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Brookfield Baptist Church Youth and College and Careers Building Fund, P. O. Box 85, Brookfield, GA 31727, in memory of Derek Robinson.