Shirley Elizabeth Robb

Shirley E. Robb (nee Elder), formerly of Normal, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2017 at the Delmar Gardens Nursing Facility in Florissant, Missouri. Shirley was born on March 14, 1922 in Lexington, the daughter of O. Howell and Annie (Breese) Elder.

Shirley attended the Cross Roads Country School near Lexington and completed Lexington High School, before going on to obtain her teaching certificate at Normal State Teachers College. She taught country school in Fairbury, Illinois for one year. She joined U.S. Coast Guard SPARS in August, 1944, completing her training in Manhattan Beach, NY and Palm Beach, Florida. She reported for recruiting duty in Cleveland, Ohio in February of 1945.

On June 17, 1945, Shirley married James (Jim) H. Robb of Bloomington who was then a Lieutenant (j.g.) in the U.S. Navy. They were married at the Old Stone Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Shirley and Jim lived in Boston, Massachusetts and Moline before settling in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1951. Together they had four children: Nancy J. (the late Bill Smith) Robb, Rebecca A. (Stan) Pouw, Charlotte L. (Robert) Trobaugh and Thomas E. (Carol) Robb. There are eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Shirley and Jim moved to Normal in 1993. They attended Wesley United Methodist Church of Bloomington. Her husband, Jim, preceded her in death in 2005.

She is survived by her children and sisters, Jean Ann Billings of Dallas, Texas and Gwen (Bill) Whetzel of Sarasota, Florida and brother Rowland (Martha) Elder of Houston, Texas. Preceding her in death were brothers Donald (Janice) Elder, Robert (the late Ruth) Elder and Edwin (the late S’monne) Elder. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends around the country. Shirley was a loving mother and very attentive to her children and their families. She enjoyed history, crafts and needlework and shared so much of what she had with her family.

Visitation will be held at East Lawn Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2017 with services beginning at 2:00 p.m.

East Lawn Funeral Home in Bloomington is handling the arrangements.