Pearl Margaret Nill Robbins, age 102, of Waco, Texas, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at an assisted living center near Evanston, Wyo. Mrs. Robbins had recently relocated to Wyoming to be close to family after the passing of her son, Brian Robbins. She was under the loving care of her granddaughter, April Lange, and husband, Jon, as well as their children. Mrs. Robbins was born on July 30, 1921 in Queens, New York, the daughter of George Henry Nill and Elizabeth Kastel Nill.
Mrs. Robbins was a graduate of Hunter College with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and worked for many years proofreading and setting type for newspapers in Texas, including Irving’s News Texas, the Waco Citizen and Baylor Press.
During World War II, Mrs. Robbins enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a member of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). She worked as a Navy Pigeoneer (also known as a Pigeon Trainer), charged with training homing pigeons to carry messages. It was a job she was well suited for as she had cared for her father’s homing pigeons earlier in life. Mrs. Robbins was one of the first women to serve in such a role.
Mrs. Robbins met her future husband, Robert R. Robbins (Bob), who was also serving in the Navy, in the mess hall. They were married on May 24, 1945 and were blessed with three children. Pearl and Bob were inseparable during their life together, traveling extensively to Europe in their later years and garnering a lifetime of memories until Bob’s passing in 2014.
Mrs. Robbins remained spry and active, walking regularly, and attending Bible study and fellowship activities at her church in Waco, Texas, until she was 101 years old. She was an avid reader and was known for her sense of humor and for being a great listener.
Mrs. Robbins was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her sons, Robert. G. Robbins and Brian Robbins, and her daughter, Elaine Robbins Sharp.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Evanston, Wyo, with Rev. Jonathan Lange officiating. A second service will be held in Waco, Texas, at a later date.
Survivors include grandchildren, April Lange and husband, Jonathan, of Evanston, Wyo.; Benjamin Sharp and wife, Kristen, of Wharton, Texas; Hope Brotherton and husband, Greg, of Mena, Ark.; Jarrod Sharp and wife, Bonnie, of Boling, Texas; and George Robbins and wife, Staci, of Moore, Okla.
Mrs. Robbins had 24 great-grandchildren, Bethany, Justin, Benjamin, Christian, Immanuel, Victoria, Isaiah, Micah, Noah, Madalyn, Andrew, Matthew, Psalm, Pascha, Mason, Jake, Mallori, Elise, Wyatt, Clara, Owen, Shane, Bryan, and Rhiana, as well as several great-great-grandchildren including Judah, Greta, Gideon and Kyler.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Dignity Memorial.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18