Jean Bailey Robert (87) passed away under the light of the morning sun on January 2, 2026. Jean was known for her endless creativity and talents, faith and servitude, and her brilliant, bright red hair.

Jean grew up in Charlotte, NC, and attended Covenant Presbyterian Church, Central High School, where she performed in musical theatre, and Queens College, where she was a member of Phi Mu. In high school, she fell in love with beautiful clothes and taught herself to sew by recreating couture pieces for her own wardrobe. She was courted by Frank Robert while he attended Davidson College, and he always said it was love at first sight when he saw her across a crowded room. She worked for NASA as a mathematician before they married in 1957. After several moves for Frank's science and medical training, they settled in Hampton, VA, and continued to grow their large family in their beloved Chesapeake Avenue home overlooking the water.

Jean was blessed with a uniquely creative mind and spent nearly every day of her life working on one-of-a-kind, detailed creations. She was a highly sought-after seamstress and needleworker. She created bespoke wedding dresses with hand-beaded lace for local brides, heirloom christening gowns, beautiful embroidery and knitwear, and nearly every costume imaginable for her children, grandchildren, and community. Given any idea, she could visualize and create it, often from repurposed and reimagined material.

When she wasn't in her sewing room, she was often in her workshop creating miniature masterpieces. Her most well-known work is a collection of dollhouses of Santa's village she built to support her children's curiosity about the North Pole. It includes an enchanting dumbwaiter in Mrs. Claus' bakery, a reindeer barn, a three-story toy factory with moving trains and assembly lines, and the main house for the Clauses and elves, worthy of a home-decor magazine.

She loved traveling with her husband in the mountains and anywhere their Winnebago would take them. She had a special love for England, especially the pageantry and pomp and circumstance. She loved decorating, hosting, Fall colors, cold weather and snow, ice skating, architecture, weddings, her back porch, Fourth of July parties, attending her children's and grandchildren's events, playing the piano, classical music, and church hymns.

Jean was active in the Peninsula Medical Auxiliary, the Peninsula Junior Arts Series, Junior Cotillion, and First Presbyterian Church of Hampton, where she served as a deacon and elder. She led children's Sunday School for many decades and taught Jesus Loves Me in sign language to the class. She used her abundance of talent to serve God, constantly seeking ways to help others and nurture lifelong friendships, including her Bible Study, church friends, Needle group, and neighbors.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Mathew and Virginia Bailey; husband of 66 years, Dr. Frank Robert; son, Scott Robert; and daughters, Mary Robert and Sharon Robert. She spent her life joyfully thinking of her eventual reunification with them.

She is survived by her children: Frank Robert Jr. (Elizabeth), Elizabeth Fyock (Jack), Katherine Shield (Stephen), Michael Robert (Kate), Patricia Robert, and daughter-in-law, Laura Robert.  Jean was blessed with 15 grandchildren: Rebecca Greer, Christina Bristow (Ryan), Michael Shield (Mollie), Jillian Fisher (Jesse), Natalie Fyock, Matthew Shield, Lindsay Nave (Logan), Andrew Shield (Esther), Neal Fyock, Virginia Robert, Sarah Robert, Charlotte Robert, Joseph Robert, Cameron Robert, and Joshua Robert. She had two great-grandsons, James Greer and Benjamin Bristow. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Carol Robert Armstrong; niece, Evelyn Armstrong (Will Marks); and nephew, Robert Armstrong (Kristen).

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful people who cared for her at Williamsburg Landing, in particular Marie Peterson, a special angel in her final days.

A service honoring Jean Bailey Robert will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Hampton, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, with a reception immediately following. There will be a graveside ceremony at 1 p.m. at Parklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Hampton, 514 S. Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA, 23669.

Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, Hampton.