Shirley Yvonne (Martin) Robinson was born on September 24, 1936, in Johnsville, Arkansas. She passed away peacefully at her home in Houston, Texas, on September 9, 2021, at the age of 84. Shirley grew up in Johnsville and Crossett, Arkansas, the youngest of twelve children. As with a lot of large, rural families of that era, life was not always easy. However, those tough times forged bonds within her family that held steadfast throughout the decades.
On September 12, 1954, Shirley married the love of her life, Sidney Glenn Robinson. They settled just over the Arkansas state line in Beekman, Louisiana, where Glenn had grown up. They went on to have six children, who were the joy of her heart. They moved from northern Louisiana to Houston in 1967 for Glenn to start a new job. Years later, when Glenn needed a less physical job after having open-heart surgery, Shirley encouraged him to buy the limousine company at which he had worked. Together they did, and over time, Glenn, Shirley, and every one of their children worked at Limousines of Houston, making it truly a family business.
With Glenn's unfortunate death in January 1987, Shirley found herself a widow at the age of 50. Having her youngest son, Chris, still in high school and living at home, she picked herself up and drove a school bus to bring in enough money to meet their needs. She was always active, both in her work and in her personal time. She was frequently doing a new craft, listening to music, going out with some friends, or building something with her brother, LaVert.
Although she had been widowed at a fairly young age, she never even dated, much less considered a relationship with another man. Her heart was always with Glenn. In addition to surviving the loss of her husband, Shirley also endured the loss of two of her children, Chris, in September 2007, and Ricky, in November 2009.
After driving a school bus for 30 years, she retired in 2017 at the age of 80, but she continued to be active, gathering often with family and friends. She was so very proud when she finished paying off the house that she and Glenn had bought together decades before. Anyone who spent time with Shirley may have come away with the impression of a woman with a strong will and strong opinions, but there would be no doubt that she was a woman with strong character. And anyone feeling her pat on the back during her hugs would also know that she was a woman with a strong arm!
Even after moving to Texas, Shirley, her siblings, and all of their families, routinely had family reunions 2 to 3 times a year, some in Arkansas, some in Texas. In addition to those reunions, both before and after Shirley was widowed, she would travel "home" to Arkansas to spend time with her large extended family, including her brothers, sisters, and her many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn, her parents, Gill & Estelle Martin, her sons, Ricky Robinson and Chris Robinson, her son-in-law, Lonney Petty, and her siblings and their spouses: Quinton Martin, William Martin, Gerildean & Edward Long, Luther Martin, Allen & Varniece Martin, Vance Martin, Travis & Louise Martin, Ella Ouita Spears, LaDon & Nell Martin, and LaVert & Betty Martin, and her brothers-in-law, Bill Pennington and Bill Potts.
Shirley is survived by her children and their spouses: Dennis & Sheri Robinson, Glenn & Patricia Robinson, Sidra Petty, and Gill & Carla Robinson. Shirley is also survived by her ten grandchildren and their spouses: Holly Robinson, Brian & Kristie Robinson, Amanda & Abel Salazar, Rachel Robinson & Christiann Viles (fiancé), Justin & Kristin Petty, Courtney & Shawn Johns, Tyler Petty, Lyndsey Robinson & Samuel Barker, Karissa & David McEntire, and Brandon Robinson. Shirley was blessed to be "GiGi" to her eight great-grandchildren: Aiden Robinson, A.J. Hall, Carleigh Petty, Haisley Petty, Colton Johns, Benjamin Barker, Ellie Barker, and Charlotte McEntire. Shirley is survived as well by her sister, Ruth Pennington Potts, her sisters-in-law, Betty Martin and Bonnie Martin, her brother-in-law, Bill Spears, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Absolutely nothing was more important to Shirley than her family. She loved them totally, with a fierce and generous heart. And that love did not stop with just her family, but was spread out to innumerable friends throughout her 84 years. She will always be remembered for her strong spirit and willingness to help anyone who needed it. She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.