Thomas, Robin Wright
Robin Wright Thomas, 71, of Check, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly on February 3rd, 2026, at home. Robin was born on April 23, 1954, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Betty (Rich) and Robert Wright.
She was raised in the Carolinas where she graduated from East Side High School, before attending Greenville Tech to become a cosmetologist. While living in Greenville Robin started her family, giving birth to three children. Following the loss of her son, she moved her family to Charleston, South Carolina where she met the man she would spend the next 43 years with.
Robin met Chuck Thomas in November 1982 upon his return from a military deployment. Chuck knew right away he’d found his Princess, and they fell in love almost instantly marrying one month later. Robin settled into the roll of Mother and Military Wife easily, finding a passion and a knack for helping other military families navigate life and deployments. Robin was honored to be selected as Ombudsman to Chuck’s command and served multiple deployments with grace.
Following Chucks’ retirement, they settled in Jacksonville Florida, where they watched their children start their families. Shortly after, they relocated to North Carolina where Robin began her medical career, becoming a CNA before settling in with the Red Cross. During her time with the Red Cross, Robin served on multiple blood drives and relief teams across the coast. Eventually Robin and Chuck moved to Virginia to be closer to family.
Over the last 43 years Robin has been active in Church wherever she lived, assisting with music programs, children’s Church and services, and was honored to write Christmas pageants for several Churches. Robin was of Native American descent and proud to be Cherokee. She studied the language and traditions and valued her heritage. Robin loved the beach and always found peace there. She loved her animals and spoiled them with love and treats.
Robin was preceded in death by her son Andy, her mother Betty, her father Robert, and her sister Wendy. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Chuck Thomas of Floyd Virginia, her daughter April Samaniego of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and her daughter Sam Johnson, of Piedmont, South Carolina.
Robin was the very proud Granny to Jessica Ingram, of Jacksonville Florida, Jordan Crews of Piedmont, South Carolina, Cruz Samaniego of Newcastle Oklahoma, Drake Samaniego of Moore, Oklahoma, and Oscar Samaniego of Midwest City Oklahoma. She was the very, very, proud Great Granny to Bentley, Connor, Octavius, Naomi, Aubrey, Benni, Kinsley, Quinn, and Vincent.
She will be remembered for passion in Christ, her love for military families, and her deep pride of her heritage. She will be deeply missed by all of us.
