Norma Jane Robbins

Norma Jane Kenady Robbins passed away on Monday, August 1, 2016 in Jayton, Texas at the age of 91. Visitation will be from 6-8, Friday, August 5th, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the First Baptist Church Chapel,1333 North 3rd Street, with Dr. Dickie Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Aspermont Cemetery, at 2:30 p.m. in Aspermont, Texas. Mrs. Robbins was born to George C. Kenady, Sr. and Jewel Louise Bearden Kenady on February 21, 1925 in Peacock, Texas. She attended Peacock and Aspermont schools. She graduated from Aspermont High School in 1942. In 1943 she married Wesley M. Robbins. She and her husband attended Hardin-Simmons College following Wesley's discharge from the Army. It was unusual for married couples to attend college together during this time. Mrs. Robbins graduated in 1950. Mrs. Robbins began her teaching career in the Old Glory, Texas public schools. She coached high school girls basketball and taught elementary classes. She and her husband taught in Jayton for several years before teaching in Aspermont. In 1950 they enrolled in pharmacy school at the University of Texas. It was a struggle to attend summer school over six years while still teaching. Following graduation in 1956, they continued to teach while employed at the Kenady Drugstore in Aspermont. In 1962 when they moved to Abilene. Mrs. Robbins worked for Abilene Drug and Westwood Plaza Drug. In 1969 she and her husband became owners of the Anson Plaza Pharmacy. Following her husband's death in 1995, she continued to practice pharmacy. In 2001, declining health forced retirement at age 76. Mrs. Robbins's retirement years were spent attending First Baptist Church and the organizations in which she held membership: Delta Kappa Gamma Lambda Xi chapter, The Abilene Porcelain Arts Guild and the Eastern Star. An avid reader, Mrs. Robbins had a book to read most of the time. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and took pride in their accomplishments. She also loved to travel and was ready to "go" anytime. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wesley Murdoch Robbins, mother-in-law, Maymie Alice Vaughn, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William D. and Bernice Robbins, sister-in-law, Floye Marquis Kenady, son-in-law James R. Johnson, and nephew, George C. Kenady III. Survivors include her daughter, Kaye Schwertner (Charles) of Abilene; brother, George C. Kenady, Jr. of Lubbock; grandchildren, Jim F. Johnson of Houston, Senator (Dr.) Charles J. Schwertner (Belinda) of Georgetown, Jane Louise Schwertner Murray (Menton J. III) of Edinburg, TX., and Justin Shane Schwertner of Lubbock; and six great grandchildren, Carson, Zachary and Matthew Schwertner, and Hannah, Menton J. IV, and Kenady Kate Murray. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Menton J. Murray III, and Joe Kenady. The family would like to thank friends and former students who have asked about her through the years. Two teacher friends, Jean Collom Bachman and Truman (Wham) Sherrod were very special. Mrs. Robbins's students held an exceptional place in her heart throughout her life. Memorials may be given to The Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy to the Wesley and Norma Robbins endowed pharmacy scholarship, 1718 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601 or to a charity of your choice.