Janelle Law Robinson

She was born in Memphis, TN, on July 21, 1942, and though she spent her last years in Madison, MS, she never lost her love of the city where she was reared. After graduating from Humes High School in 1960, she married Jim Robinson at Decatur Street Christian Church. He was the love of her life, and she called him "Jimmy" throughout their 53 years together. She went to work as a secretary for Murdock Acceptance Corporation, where she remained until 1969 when she left work to become a full-time mom. When her daughter, Alina, started school, she returned to the workforce part-time as the secretary for Scenic Hills United Methodist Church where she served for many years. She eventually moved to a full-time position at the Memphis Chamber of Commerce. For her, working at the Chamber was a dream come true: she loved the work, the people, and most of all being part of the city's biggest cheerleading team.

At home, she was a wonderful mother who focused on ensuring that her children had an enriching environment, great food, and loving guidance. She was active in parent-teacher organizations at ECS, volunteered for school field trips, chaired the Harvest Festival and baked for birthdays and class events. She welcomed all her children's friends into her home, which became the focal point of parties, cookouts, and celebrations. Beyond caring for her family, she loved plants and working in her yard, where her Lenten roses, irises, azaleas, camellias, and daffodils were legendary. In her later years, she doted on her grandchildren and enjoyed spoiling them. She never once missed a dance recital, sporting event, or grandparents' day program. She and Jimmy shared a lifelong love of the Great Smoky Mountains and visited the park and the surrounding communities as often as they could, beginning with their honeymoon trip in 1961.

Most of all, she had a quiet but deep faith in Jesus Christ that never wavered. Even in her last years, she loved reading her Bible and singing old hymns.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James B. Robinson, and her infant daughter, Lesley, and parents, Raymond and Mary Eddie Law. Survivors include her children: Kevin Robinson and his partner, Lacey Nalla, of Memphis; and Alina Robinson Shook and her husband Paul of Madison, MS. Her grandchildren include Abby Sinclair and her husband Andrew of Flowood, MS; Garrett Shook; and Leslie Shook, both of Madison, MS. She is also survived by her sister, Glenda Emerick, of Columbus, IN; her nephews Greg Emerick and his wife Janie of Columbus, IN; and Brian Emerick and his wife Ramona of Montgomery, AL. She also leaves behind her dearest cousin Joanne Eastman and her husband Ira of Bartlett; and her best friend of 77 years, Elaine “Cookie” Beaver of Kingston, TN.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119. A funeral service will follow visitation at 2:00 PM. Burial will be in Forest Hill Midtown Cemetery, 1661 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, Tennessee 38106

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arthritis National Research Foundation at curearthritis.org or Friends of the Smokies at friendsofthesmokies.org.

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