Community Leader

Words by Suzie Walton | Image by Ryan McGill

A beacon of light shimmers within a cute little house neatly tucked behind rose and hydrangea bushes off the corner of 19th Street in Jasper. Inside the red brick walls of Reed Energy sits an elegant woman of great determination and an even bigger heart, carefully gleaning many pages of grant paperwork. 

Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Walker Area Community Foundation Robbin Reed Allen is a giant among the community and never meets a stranger. The “twisty path” through life of this coal miner’s daughter has brought many connections and many more lasting friendships. She could be an intimidating force when entering a room, were it not for her beautiful smile. 

“Give me a hug,” Robbin laughs. “We are friends.” 

Her grand smile reflects her enthusiasm for her community and the conversation quickly turns to the importance of giving back to the area she loves—a passion her parents instilled in her.

Twenty-five years ago, Robbin received a phone call from her mom asking Robbin to join her and Barbara Thorne at Carol Savage’s home. The ladies were stuffing, addressing, and stamping letters to be mailed from a newly established organization, the Walker Area Community Foundation. In great Robbin fashion, she dropped everything and rushed to help. 

Then she met Anthony, the love of her life. They moved to Daphne, Alabama, leaving Jasper in the rearview mirror, never expecting to return. Life, however, had other ideas. “I am a product of career tech,” Robbin says. “My dad was a coal miner who ended up buying a coal business, so I came back home to work with my dad, brother, and husband.” 

Recalling the the 10 years she and her husband lived away from Jasper, Robbin admits it’s funny how everywhere they went, they were always looking for home. 

Working in the family business gave Robbin an opportunity to be involved with nonprofits. “My mom led by example and was always volunteering. She helped instill the importance of community service in my brother and me,” she explains, referencing a T.S. Eliot quote: “For what do we live if not to make life less difficult for others.”

Today, Robbin’s zeal for her community is more ardent that ever. “Our purpose in life is to love people,” she says. “It’s not about me but about the amazing people in our community where we have a strong network. I now see this more each day.”

Among the various boards she serves on, Robbin is also the newly elected board president at Pinnacle Bank. As she leans in, both hands on the conference table near a spray of neatly scattered papers, her face beams and her eyes reflect her passion for people. 

“Women bring a unique perspective to the table,” Robbin says. “I want young people to look around Jasper and see that they belong here in every aspect. And there are so many strong women in Walker County; may we know them, may we raise them, and may we be them.” 78