Evelyn "Jewellene" Adams Robinson

Funeral services for Evelyn “Jewellene” Adams Robinson of Start, LA, will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Rayville with Dr. Justin Clark officiating. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. Internment will follow at the Start Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home.

Jewellene was born July 9, 1932, in Winnsboro, LA, and passed away peacefully in the early hours of February 26, 2026, at the age of 93 in Monroe, LA. She is preceded in death by her adoring husband of 61 years, Bennie Charles Robinson; her parents, William Troy Adams and Ruby Coughran Adams; her sisters, Aline Adams Robertson and Gloria Adams Walker; her brother, William Kenneth Adams; her brothers-in-law, Oscar Robinson and Herron Littleton; her nephew, Erek Adams; and her niece, Michelle Walker Smith.

She is survived by her son, Bennie Charles Robinson Jr., and his wife, Stacia Dee Robinson, of Monroe, LA; her granddaughter Kristen Laurel Jester and husband, Tyler Jester, of Bentonville, AR; her granddaughter Kadee Lynn Robinson of Monroe, LA; her brother, Bob Adams, and sister-in-law, Bonnie Adams, of Start, LA; her sister-in-law, Carol Robinson, of Monroe, LA; along with her many beloved nieces and nephews.

Following graduation from Start High School in 1950, Jewellene enrolled in Northeast Louisiana State College and majored in elementary education. During her college years, she worked for the library on campus and remained involved in her local church community, which led her to meet her future spouse, Ben. Shortly after graduation in 1954, she was hired to teach 2nd grade at Start Elementary School. In December of 1957, she married Ben Robinson of Start, LA, and moved to Baton Rouge for him to attend graduate school at Louisiana State University. During this brief time, she taught 2nd grade for the Baton Rouge School System, and upon completion of Ben’s work there, the family moved to Alexandria, LA, where they welcomed their only child, Bennie Charles Robinson, Jr., in 1958.

Jewellene deeply enjoyed her years spent in Alexandria raising her son, being involved in her community, and continuing her career in education. She would often reflect on these years with fondness and shared that after teaching various grade levels, 4th was her favorite. She had a love for learning, which led to her earning a master's degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 1974.

In 1978, an opportunity in Ben’s career led the pair to move back home to Start, LA, where they built their forever home. Not being one to sit still, Jewellene quickly applied for elementary teaching positions in the area but ended up taking a different path by becoming a GED instructor at Louisiana VO-Technical Institute in Winnsboro. Of all the teaching positions she held, Jewellene found helping men and women of all ages earn their GED the most rewarding. She truly loved seeing her students light up with pride when they accomplished things that they once believed were impossible.

Being involved in church and its activities was paramount in Jewellene’s life. In every community she lived in, she was active in church. Over the years she taught bible school, served as church librarian, taught Sunday School, and served on many committees, including The Crochet Club at First Baptist of Rayville, where she made hats for missions and children at St. Jude. Since Jewellene has been unable to attend church for several years, she has spent every Sunday watching at least three services on television. She loved the Lord and often wrote down reflections of scripture on notecards to remind herself and others what truly matters in life.

Though her routines were curtailed due to her health problems in more recent years, Jewellene remained as active as possible. In addition to crocheting and visiting with her dear friends and family, she kept her mind active by working puzzles and reading almost every large-print book the library had to offer. Jewellene truly delighted in spending time with anyone who would stop by to visit, and she looked forward to her nightly calls from her dear sister-in-law, Bonnie. Fellowship meant the world to her and filled her heart with joy. She loved you all dearly.

The family would like to thank the many healthcare providers who have cared for Jewellene over the years as well as the Shut-in Ministry of First Baptist Church of Rayville, who brought a meal each Wednesday night to her. The meal was important to Jewellene, but the fellowship of Christian friends was what she cherished most.