Dorothy Ann Hall (Nelson) Robideaux Obituary, Death – Pensacola Woman Remembered for 92 Years of Family, Faith, Adventure and Service
Dorothy Ann Hall (Nelson) Robideaux, affectionately known as Dottie or Dot, lived 92 years marked by strength, devotion, curiosity and an unwavering commitment to the people around her. Following the unexpected death of her husband, DeWayne Robideaux, on April 19, 2026, Dorothy was called home approximately four months later.
Born in Tampa, Florida, on April 12, 1934, Dorothy was the youngest of three children born to Effie Elizabeth Chason Hall and William Homer Hall. After her parents divorced in 1942, her family grew when her father remarried Annie Bell Hemby, bringing five half-siblings into Dorothy’s life.
Dorothy was an exceptional student with a strong musical ability. While attending Pensacola High School, she played French horn in the school band and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She graduated in June 1951, shortly after turning 17.
Following high school, Dorothy was recruited by the FBI and moved to San Diego, California, for work. She later returned to Pensacola and worked for a local law firm.
Her life took another important turn when she met Lieutenant Richard “Dick” Nelson at the Pensacola NAS Officers Club on New Year’s Eve in 1955. Dick, a flight instructor at Corry Field, and Dorothy married on May 21, 1955, in Pensacola. Their daughter, Deborah Ann, was born in August 1956 while Dick was serving in the area.
The couple later moved to Sanford, Florida, where they developed close friendships with other Navy families. Dorothy became involved in the Gamma Lambda chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, an international women’s organization, and in 1958 was selected as the chapter’s Valentine Girl of the Year.
After Dick retired from active duty as a lieutenant commander, the family settled in Theodore, Alabama. Their son, Robert David, was born in nearby Mobile in October 1960.
Dorothy continued building a varied and active life. She worked as a legal secretary at a prominent Mobile law firm and later assisted Dick with accounting work for his business. She also became a Shaklee distributor, embracing the health products she believed helped her maintain her energy and active lifestyle.
Family was always at the heart of Dorothy’s life. She and Dick enjoyed golf together, and she learned to play so the family could take golfing vacations. Later, they purchased a motor home and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, creating memories and stories that Dorothy enjoyed sharing.
Their connection to Dick’s former Navy squadron, VF-44, also remained important. Dorothy and Dick attended several squadron reunions, maintaining friendships with former pilots, shipmates and their spouses whose bonds had been formed during the Korean War.
As a wife and mother, Dorothy was deeply involved in her family’s lives. She taught her children the importance of perseverance, commitment, honesty, integrity, respect and caring for others. She was known for being exceptionally organized and for encouraging those around her to finish what they started and learn from their mistakes.
She was equally devoted as a grandmother. Despite hundreds of miles separating her from her grandchildren, Dorothy stayed connected through cards, letters and phone calls. She enjoyed reading to her grandsons, teaching them new things and planning summer adventures that included trips to the beach, visits with relatives and time at Grandma and Grandpa’s home.
Outside of family and work, Dorothy enjoyed sewing, reading and line dancing, often wearing cowboy boots and western hats.
After Dick died in April 1998, Dorothy eventually found love again with DeWayne Robideaux, a retired Navy chief. The two married in January 2000, beginning another chapter filled with travel, adventure and companionship.
In 2022, Dorothy and DeWayne moved to Azalea Trace Retirement Community in Pensacola. DeWayne introduced Dorothy to new activities, including fishing and rifle hunting. At age 69, she took her first deer. She also developed a love for birdwatching, with bluebirds becoming a particular favorite.
The couple traveled extensively together, completing 17 cruises between 2001 and 2019. Their journeys took them to Alaska, Portugal, Norway, Copenhagen and the Baltic region, Iceland, the Mediterranean and Black Sea, Greece, Turkey, the South Pacific, Hawaii, South America and Antarctica. They also participated in Elderhostel trips, birding excursions and balloon festivals.
Dorothy remained active in service to her community throughout her later years. She volunteered thousands of hours in the restoration department of the Naval Aviation Museum and served as the head of the volunteer security team for the Blue Angels Air Shows in Pensacola. Her commitment to those roles earned her the respect of the people she worked alongside.
At Azalea Trace, Dorothy served on the Resident Council, Hospitality Board and Activities committees. She remained a leader who enjoyed being involved, meeting people and contributing to the community around her.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Deborah (Keith) Smith and Robert (Sherri) Nelson; stepchildren Rochelle Robideaux, Rodney (Mary) Robideaux and Ross Robideaux; grandchildren Tyler (Rachel) Smith and Andrew (Jori) Smith; and great-grandchildren Bridgland Smith, Wyatt Smith, Millie Joanne Smith, Hattie Paige Smith, Charles Kosoris, Liliana Ferracioli and Isabella Ferracioli.
She is also survived by her sister O’Dean (Harvey) Lester; half-siblings Richard (Wendy) Hall, David (Sherry) Hall, Helen Willis, Betty (Carlos) Aguilar and Steve Hall; sister-in-law Mary Nelson; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Effie and William Hall; her first husband, Richard “Dick” Nelson; her second husband, DeWayne Robideaux; and her sister, Evelyn (Hugh) McClure.
Her family remembers Dorothy as a woman of remarkable strength who devoted herself to the people she loved. She was a breast cancer survivor, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, wife and friend whose life was filled with service, travel, learning and adventure.
The family expressed gratitude to the staff at Azalea Trace Retirement Community for the care and community provided over the years, as well as the Willowbrook Memory Care staff who cared for Dorothy during the final five years of her life as she lived with dementia. Appreciation was also extended to Emerald Coast Hospice and Oak Lawn Funeral Home for their assistance.
A memorial service will be held Friday, September 18, at 11 a.m. CT at Azalea Trace Retirement Community in Pensacola. The service will take place in the auditorium and is open to those who wish to attend.
Following the memorial, family and close friends will proceed to Barrancas National Cemetery at Naval Air Station Pensacola for a 1:30 p.m. CT service at Pavilion B.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Hospital or another charity of choice.
Dorothy Ann Hall (Nelson) Robideaux leaves behind a remarkable family legacy built over nine decades. Her love of family, determination, generosity, service and adventurous spirit will continue through the generations she leaves behind.