Norma Robinson

BENTON - Norma Elizabeth Stroope Robinson (Nana) of Benton, passed peacefully on to her next phase of life on June 25, 2025. She was born on Nov. 23, 1943, in Long Beach, Calif., to Cecil Clyde and Maurita Standridge Stroope.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents and a sister, Sue McGrew. Norma is survived by her husband of over 60 years Maurice Robinson; their two children Renee (John) Bethel and Randy (Kristin) Robinson; a sister Kay Stroope; a brother-in-law Kenny McGrew; two brothers: Jim (Joyce) Stroope and Bill (Angie) Stroope; six grandchildren: Hannah (Cody) Johnson, Mollie (Fernando) Alvarez, Boyce Bethel (fiancé Scott Bueche), Tiffany (Kevin) Weston, Henry (Austynn) Bethel, and Stanley (Rylee) Robinson; three great-grandchildren: Cecilia Johnson, Ellis Alvarez, and Everett Weston (expected in July); and numerous other special friends and kiddos she loved and cared for throughout her lifetime. Norma is also survived by Christen (Kyle) Ferguson, whom she thought of as a granddaughter; as well as two special ladies with whom Norma thought of as her own daughters: Frances (Dave) Raley and Sally (Tom) Brown.

Norma moved from Long Beach to Mt. Ida, Ark., as an infant. She and her mother stayed with her maternal grandparents while her father fought in World War II. When Cecil returned safely from combat in Europe, they moved to Odessa, Texas. Norma lived in Odessa until 9th grade when she moved back to Mt. Ida. After graduating salutatorian in 1962 from Mt. Ida High School, Norma attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to pursue a degree in Nursing. It was in Fayetteville where she met Maurice Robinson. Norma and Maurice met at University Baptist Church. They were friends at first, but one January afternoon while they were out plinking targets with a .22 with some other friends Norma ever so gently, but very much intentionally, touched Maurice's hand. This gentle touch led to a lifetime of love. They married on Sept. 11, 1964.

Norma operated an in-home childcare service for over 30 years."Mrs. Norma/Nana" loved and nurtured each child as though they were her own. Renee and Randy have often quipped that they had dozens of "adopted" brothers and sisters. Recently, a parent of one of Nana's kids told us,"You will never realize the ministry your mother had, dropping a child off at childcare is difficult, but knowing that they will be loved and nurtured was a blessing."

Norma was also very active in ministry at First Baptist Church in Benton. She taught Sunday School in the youth department while Renee and Randy were in school. She then began helping with the children's ministry. One of her favorite activities was helping keep the nursery during Zapped, the summer Vacation Bible School. A Zapped co-worker of hers recently told Maurice,"We would give Norma a crying baby and she would patiently hold them and rock them until they calmed down." Her last act of active ministry was holding babies during Zapped in 2024.

Norma was a 35 plus year breast cancer survivor. She was an avid supporter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and participated in 72 races supporting breast cancer research in 14 cities across 9 states plus Puerto Rico.

In 2022, another dreadful disease attacked Norma. Unlike breast cancer, Norma was not able to defeat Alzheimer's. As her memory faded, the family's hope in Christ grew. Because of Norma's trust in Christ as her substitute for both the penalty of sin and for a righteousness that was not her own, we know her memory is fully restored in a glorious body. Nana is home.

There will be a celebration of her life on Aug. 8, at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Benton.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff of Pleasant Hill Senior Services and Arkansas Hospice. The professionalism and compassion of these organizations has helped immensely during a very difficult journey.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

The Arkansas Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/arkansas or make a memorial donation to the First Baptist Church of Benton Kids' Ministry to support Zapped at FBC Benton, 211 S. Market St., Benton, Ark., 72015.