Robin Wallis Ross Osborn

Robin Wallis Ross Osborn
Robin Wallis Ross Osborn

Robin Wallis Ross Osborn, of Amarillo, TX was born in Norman, OK, on April 24, 1952, and on April 20th, 2020, four days from her 69th birthday, Jesus Christ took her to the place He prepared, and her baptism was complete.

Robin grew up in Norman where her father was a professor at the University of Oklahoma, and her mother was active in university life, especially the music program.  Robin enjoyed music, reading, family history and family time with grandparents and cousins; she also began a lifelong love of animals.  Robin attended the University High School in Norman where she was a member of the All State Reading Orchestra and the Norman Youth Orchestra. She graduated in 1970.

Robin chose to go to Northeaster State College; to be at a school where everyone did not know her father.  At NCS she majored in education, played the violin in the orchestra, and was part of the music educators.  In 1974 she graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Education.  She obtained her teacher’s certificate in the State of Kansas and taught there.

Robin would return to the classroom at the Graduate College of Northeastern Oklahoma State University.   Her research papers included The History of the Northeastern Oklahoma State University Band, and the History of John Ross, Chief of the Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.   She obtained a Master’s in Library Science.

When Robin’s father retired, her parents moved from Norman and eventually settled in Weslaco, TX.  Robin would live close to them, and later moved to Harlingen, TX.  She went to work for Treasure Hills Presbyterian Church, where Pastor Charlie Palmer said “God brought Robin to us.”  Palmer and the church began a ministry called Loaves and Fishes, feeding the hungry in Harlingen and other areas.  Robin did the paperwork and her organizational gifts were a blessing.

Robin writes that God brought her and the church together, and when they hired John Osborn as the first Director of Loaves and Fishes, her life changed again.   John and Robin worked together at Loaves and Fishes; their working relationship blossomed into friendship and then love.  They were married on February 6th, 1993.

Their love continued and then John’s health problems related to having polio as a child began.  Life changed and Robin went back to work in education and library science.  They would move closer to Galveston, TX and John’s health improved, which they both credited to the Lord.  Robins parents had both died in Weslaco, and following a hurricane, Robin obtained a position with the Amarillo Library, and they moved to Amarillo.

Robin worked for the Amarillo Library, serving at the Southwest and North branches.  In 2010, she went to work for the Sylvan Learning Center, teaching Academic Reading, Beginning Reading and Math Essentials.  She is remembered as being soft spoken, with a ready smile, and kind heart; she worked well with the younger children.

John and Robin enjoyed Amarillo, but John’s health was presenting more issues, and Robin was also having health concerns. In March of 2010, John had a stroke, and he died on the 25th, 2010.   Robin greatly missed John, and she continued at Sylvan and volunteering with a pet adoption program at Pet Smart.   In 2013, her health issues prevented further work at Sylvan, but she could still help animals.

Friends at Sylvan worked with the Amarillo SPCA on Coulter.  Robin greatly missed her own dog, and she enjoyed helping dogs at the shelter.   She became a full-time volunteer; she fed and watered the dogs, helped with baths and cleaned kennels.  Sometimes, she would spend 96 hours a week at the shelter, paying particular attention to new arrivals who needed more attention.

Robin’s life had many changes and through it all, her faith in Jesus Christ was her strength and comfort; she took Bible classes while she was in school.  She was raised Presbyterian, and had been part of Presbyterian congregations.   However, John was a life-long Methodist and St. Paul United Methodist Church was home for a while.  There she met Tommy and Karen Jaramallo and moved into Paramount Apartments, where she worked part-time for them, making sure the laundry and pool were opened for residents.

Robin would return to her Presbyterian heritage and joined Westminster Presbyterian Church.  She became part of the Wednesday night dinners at WPC, and when the Halloween activities were moved inside, she greeted people at the door.  She was part of the Heavensent Sunday School Class and then moved to the Pastors’ Class.  She shared her knowledge of the Bible and her faith with the class and was a joy.  She enjoyed lunch on Sundays with several members of Westminster.

On April 16th, Robin was walking near her home, she fell and was unconscious.  She was taken to Northwest Texas Hospital but did not recover from her injuries.  On April 20th, with a longtime friend and her pastors present, her earthly body died, and Jesus took her home to heaven.  She was reunited with John and her parents.

Robin is survived by two cousins and their families, Nancy Vallone of Omaha NE, and Cathy Ross of Los Angeles, CA.  Her two cats will live happily at the Amarillo SPCA.  She will be missed by many friends, and the animals she cared for at SPCA.

Westminster Presbyterian Church will have a Service of Witness to the Resurrection, to thank God for Robin Ross Osborn at a later date.  Robin wanted to be cremated and her ashes interned near John’s ashes in Omaha, NE; Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors carried out her wishes.

Memorials can be sent to the Amarillo SPCA, 11901 S. Coulter St., Amarillo, TX 79119, to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2525 Wimberly, Amarillo, TX 79109, or to the charity of your choice.

One Reply to “Robin Wallis Ross Osborn”

  1. Robin, thank you for letting me be a part of your circle of friends. I know you walked into Heaven that day, and John was there to take your hand. And at that moment, our Savior Jesus said, “Well Done, My Child!!” I’m going to miss you.

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