Helen L. Robinson

A daughter of the late Harry and Ruth Webster, Helen was born in Brownsville on July 20, 1923. She was a graduate of the 1941 Brownsville High School Class and graduated from Ball State University in 1945 with a major in Education. She started her career at Liberty Short High teaching Business classes and then met the love of her life, Rowland Dubois Robinson while shopping at Robinson’s Grocery in Liberty. They were married on August 31, 1947. Helen continued teaching until the birth of her first daughter, Linda in 1954 and did not return to teaching until her second daughter, Tonya, entered first grade in 1964. When Helen returned to teaching she became the Liberty Elementary School art teacher until her retirement in May of 1986. As a dedicated and devoted teacher, she spent many late hours at the kitchen table preparing her lesson plans for all students in grade 1 through grade 6. At her retirement on May 13, 1986, she was honored by students and co-workers. Helen was seated in a rocking chair, given house slippers to wear and presented a program that included “When the Teacher Gets Cross” read by Jennifer Davis and a poem written and presented by Randy Sheaff:

Art teachers are the best,

Some are better than the rest

I know one who is my favorite.

I hate to have her go,

I just want her to know

That she seems to me, to be

The best artist I ever did see.

For Mrs. Robinson – the Best

Helen then took off her house slippers only to start helping with the newly started Edwards Memorial United Methodist Preschool program and volunteering at the Union County Historical Society Liberty Depot Museum. She was a proud member of the Edwards Memorial United Methodist and its women’s organization and was also a member of the Retired Teachers Association and the Delta Kappa Gamma Society.

Her days were further filled with the passion for planting flowers, doing yard work, feeding the birds, fighting off squirrels and chipmunks, reading, watching NASCAR and tackling word puzzles. She was blessed with a great-grandson, Ryan, who each week filled her heart with joy, and four nephews who faithfully visited despite their far distant homes and busy schedules.

Helen leaves to cherish her memory two daughters: Linda Lafuze of Richmond and Dr. Tonya Robinson of Louisville, KY; a grandson, his wife and great-grandson, Nathan, Becky, and Ryan Lafuze of Boston, IN; and four nephews: Frank, Joe, Tony, and Chris Webster.

She was blessed by the love, care and friendship of Misty and Faith Rodefer, Susan West, and Mary Snyder. Helen loved and was loved by grand-dogs Scarlette and Hera. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Rowland D. Robinson; her parents, Ruth and Harry Webster; and a brother, Franklin D. Webster.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Fosdick Chapel, Liberty, with Pastor Scott Bell of Edwards Memorial United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow at College Corner Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. where memorial contributions may be made to the Edwards Memorial United Methodist Church. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.