Robbie Lee Nayman's Obituary
The life of Dr. Robbie Lee Nayman was not simply a series of events and accomplishments but rather a divinely designed plan filled with purpose, which culminated on January 14, 2024, witn her peaceful transition from earth to eternity with the Lord.
Robbie was born October 7, 1937, to the late Lelia Ella Young and Archie Lee Luckie in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, she attended Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, where she studied Business Administration and graduated in 1960.
She began her extensive career in academia at the State University of New York,Geneseo, and Buffalo, New York, where she worked as Assistant Dean. Advancing rapidly in her career, she went to work for the University of Wisconsin as a Doctorate Student in Psychology and Education and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. In 1967, Robbie's Ph.D. studies took her abroad, and she was selected as Outstanding Graduate
Student of the Year. After being awarded her Ph.D. in Counseling and Behavioral Studies, she was chosen for post-doctorate studies in the Management Development Program at Harvard University. She relocated to Turkey to conduct Doctorate Research in Comparative Education and was subsequently recruited for a psychologist position at Colorado State University, where she served for thirteen years. From there, she went on to achieve a series of groundbreaking firsts.
Highly sought after, Dr. Nayman was recruited to Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona, as the first African American Director of the university's counseling center. Five years later, she was approached bx the Vice-President of Skidmore College, in Saratoga Springs, New York, to be the first African American Dean of Student Affairs, where she served for two years. Her stellar performance led to her being recruited by California State University, in Fullerton, as the first African American Dean of Student Affairs.
Having started her education at Bishop College, she wanted to share her expertise at a Black institution; therefore, she concluded her career by accepting a position as Vice President of Student Affairs at Voorhees University in Denmark, South Carolina. Her coast-to-coast journey took a turn back to Texas in September 2000 when she returned home to care for her beloved mother.
The transition to Dallas was a significant turning point in her life. The little girl who confessed faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in the spring of 1945 became a woman who took her life experiences and academic knowledge and married them to serve God in a new way. In early 2005, she became a practicing Christian at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship under the pastoral care of Dr. Tony Evans. She served wholeheartedly as a volunteer for the counseling ministry and later accepted a compensated position.
She lived her transformation with God out loud and willingly walked with others through their sanctification journeys. This warrior for God exemplified an air of dignity, integrity, humility, love, grace, and gentle guidance. Her life and legacy will continue through her family, Brindel Tynes {Leon), Sharon Hawkins, Michelle Hawkins Reed {McKinley), and daughter Morgan Reed, Pamela Hawkins Williams, Lilian Jones, her spiritual daughters and sons, close friends, colleagues, and the students she inspired and empowered across the globe. Job well done, Dr. Nayman!
What’s your fondest memory of Robbie?
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Describe a day with Robbie you’ll never forget.
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