Esther Camellia Robbins Heatley, 69, of Lexington, Virginia, died Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at her home, attended by her family, after a valiant battle with cancer.

She was born in Hickory, N.C., October 15, 1943, the eldest of five children of the late John Peter Robbins Jr. and the late Lucy Jessica Hudson Robbins.

Esther graduated from Hickory High School, attended Mars Hill College for two years, transferred to Baylor University for her BA; later, to the University of Virginia for her M.Ed.

She and N. Rick Heatley have been married for 48 years, having met 50 years ago at Ft. Caswell, N.C.

She taught elementary school for 45 years: five years in Austin, Texas, 17 years in Winston-Salem, N.C., and the last 23 years in Lexington.

A loving gardener of souls, Esther's great joy was in cultivating a fertile and nurturing environment for all living things to grow. She and Rick enjoyed gardening, landscaping, travel abroad, literature, choral singing, ballroom dancing, and outdoor activities with their children, such as kayaking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

Surviving are her husband, Dr. N. Rick Heatley; their children, son, Nathan P. Heatley, of Columbia, Visual Arts Educator in Henrico County; daughter, J. Hudson Heatley, of Schuyler, Senior Specialist with AmeriCorps National Service, Habitat for Humanity International and her partner, Jenifer Klippel, Rehab Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator, Albemarle Housing Improvement Program; brother, J. Michael Robbins, of Hickory, N.C.; sister, Phyllis Robbins Hefner and husband, Daniel, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; brother, Stewart A. Robbins, of Hickory, N.C.; nephew, Morgan Hefner and his wife, Marcia, and their children, Mason and Lucy Ann, of Raleigh, N.C.; nephew, Patrick Robbins, of Hickory, N.C., and his children; uncles, Truman Hudson and wife, Marge, of Gastonia, N.C., and Britt Hudson and wife, Beverly, of Ashville, N.C.; aunt, Dorothy (Dot) Meadows, of Hickory, N.C.; and a number of beloved cousins. Predeceasing Esther were her sister, Mary Ann Robbins, of Raleigh, N.C.; and nephew, John R. (Rusty) Robbins, of Hickory, N.C.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2012, at Harrison Funeral Home, 714 S. Main St., Lexington, with the Rev. Dr. Toby A. Hale, of Winston-Salem, N.C., officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice, 315 Myers St., Lexington, VA 24450.

Arrangements are being handled by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington. 540-463-2912.