John Stuart Robinson Sr.

Stuart was born on March 30, 1937 in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of Hilda Howie Robinson and McWillie Mitchell Robinson. He was a fifth generation Mississippian. Stuart, along with his brother, McWillie Robinson, grew up in the Belhaven District of Jackson. Stuart attended Central High School where he would play football and was elected Most Handsome. Most importantly, while at Central, he met his beautiful future wife, Lynett Elise Garst.

Stuart graduated from Central High School in 1955. He, along with his future wife, Lynett, then attended Millsaps College where he became a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. The two then transferred to Ole Miss where he would complete his undergraduate education, and then attend law school, graduating in 1961. Stuart subsequently married his high school sweetheart, Lynett to whom he was married for 64 years.

Upon graduating from law school, Stuart returned to Jackson, and joined the First Presbyterian Church where he and Lynett were married. He then began practicing law with the law firm Carter, Mitchell and Robinson before opening his own law practice. During this period of time, he and Lynett had two children, John Stuart Robinson, Jr. and Lynett Elise Robinson.

After practicing law for a period of time, Stuart ran for Chancery Court Judge of Hinds County, Mississippi. He was subsequently elected Chancery Court Judge for Hinds County, a position he would hold for almost two decades before retiring from the bench in 2006. Stuart was widely known for his fairness, adherence to the law, and respect for both the parties and lawyers appearing before him even well after retirement. After retiring from the bench, Stuart was able to practice law with his son before permanently retiring from the practice of law.

When not practicing law, Stuart enjoyed playing golf with his friends. He was a former Board Member of Shady Oaks Country Club and a member of the Jackson Country Club. After retiring, Stuart and Lynett bought a second home in Oxford, Mississippi so that they could enjoy Oxford as they did when they were younger, and attend Ole Miss games with their long-time friends, including Charles “Sonny” Ferguson, Smiley Ratcliff and Charlie Brackett. He also enjoyed, and passed on to his children and grandchildren, his love for saltwater fishing. Some of his fondest memories were camping and fishing on Breton Island off the coast of Louisiana with his son and good friends, Herbert Coleman, Ronnie Carroll and Dewitt Day and their sons.

Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, McWillie Mitchell Robinson, Sr and Hilda Howie Robinson, and his brother, Dr. McWillie Robinson, Jr. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lynett Garst Robinson; son, John Stuart Robinson, Jr. (wife Renee); and daughter, Lynett Elise Brewer (husband Clark). He is also survived by his grandchildren, John Stuart Robinson, III (wife Ashley), Mary Holly Castro (husband Moises), Elise Brewer and Bradford Brewer (wife Kamryn), as well as three great grandchildren, Wyatt Robinson, Brett Robinson and Ford Brewer.

A private service and burial will be attended by his family. The family would like to give special thanks to Sitters, LLC and Traditions Hospice, and, in particular, caregivers Pam Ransburgh, Brenda Minor and Elois Lewis for their compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1390 N State St, Jackson, MS 39202 or the Webster Animal Shelter, 525 Post Oak Road, Madison, Mississippi 39110.