Janell Robbins

Janell Robbins passed away on Saturday, June 28th (at a local hospital) after a brief illness. She was born November 16, 1925 in Durant, Mississippi to parents William Clyde Reynolds and Mildred Lucile Wallace Reynolds. She later moved with her mother to Fort Smith, Arkansas where she would spend the majority of her life. Janell briefly attended the University of Missouri, then returned to Fort Smith where her mother worked tirelessly to support her while completing her life-long dream of a registered nursing degree at St Edward School of Nursing from 1943-1946. She initially served as a Nursing Arts instructor for 8 years in the St Edward School of Nursing, later spending an additional 28 years at St. Edward Mercy hospital, the majority as hospital night Nursing Supervisor. She once wrote that her life "...has been blessed serving God in Nursing". She met the love of her life, Don Robbins, a young WWII Marine aviator she always described as "the most handsome man in Fort Smith", and they married on September 2, 1950 shortly after the start of the Korean War. After a tour in Korea, her husband returned home and they spent many happy times with friends and volunteering in the community, including life-long support of the Salvation Army. They had one son, and she spent the next years unselfishly supporting her family while working nightly at the hospital. She retired in 1988 to devote more time to her husband and family. They became doting grandparents to two "precious angels", eager to share in their grandchildren's lives whenever possible. They moved to Lavaca, Arkansas, where they were soon traveling and sharing in activities they both enjoyed. After her husband passed away in 1997, she remained in Lavaca with lifelong friends and neighbors she loved. In 2008, declining health led her to move to Cornerstone Retirement Community in Texarkana, Texas, where she would spend the rest of her days with family, new friends and wonderful caregivers. Until the very end, she never forgot her lifelong values of service and southern hospitality, frequently asking guests what she could do for them while nearly bedridden. Survivors include her son and his wife, Dr. Joe and Nancy Robbins of Texarkana, TX, grandson Stephen Robbins of Texarkana, TX, granddaughter and husband Nicole Robbins Elder and Christopher Elder and great-grandson Liam Elder of McKinney, TX, a half sister and brother as well as several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Donald Boone Robbins. The Funeral service will be Thursday, July 3rd at 10 am at Edwards Funeral Home chapel, with burial at Forest Park cemetery (in Fort Smith) under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 5-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mercy Foundation in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Cornerstone Retirement Community in Texarkana, TX, the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.