Doris Mae Arbo Robertson's Obituary
Doris Mae Arbo Robertson passed through the veil from life into eternity on Jan. 25, 2017 at the age of 96; she now worships at the feet of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The daughter of Louis James and Pearl Richards Arbo, she was born on October 11, 1920 in Mobile, Al. She attended elementary school at Barton Academy and graduated from Murphy High School. Gifted in language, she graduated fluent in Spanish which she later studied for two years at the newly established University of South Alabama. After her husband, Francis, returned from service in WWII, they built their home in Irvington, Al. Her main attention during those years focused on finishing her home and raising her four children. She used to say that there was not a brick or board they hadn’t put their hands on as they built the house. The couple had collected and cleaned old bricks for the exterior and fireplace in their home. Mr. Francis, his brothers and Mr. Lewelyn Rabby framed the house. The couple then finished the interior over the next several years. Mr. Francis used to love to surprise Mrs. Doris with an old piece of furniture he had managed to buy or barter for. They would strip the paint and refinish the furniture with careful attention to every detail; they also enjoyed collecting antiques for their home.After Bud (Francis, Jr.) entered school, Doris decide to train as a florist at Zimlich‘s in Mobile. She opened Doris’ Floral Shop; the first floral shop in South Mobile County. It turned into a very successful business. After about six years, it became so demanding that she decided to close the shop, although she continued arranging flowers for the rest of her life. Other interests included knitting, and stamp collecting. She also developed an enjoyment for travel and visited Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Canada, Europe, and the Holy Land.She embraced every area of her life but her foundation was her faith in Jesus Christ. She taught her first Sunday School class at age 17 to a group of her peers at the Irvington United Methodist Church. In 1946, she joined First Baptist Church in Bayou La Batre. She took part in church activities and taught Sunday School. The family felt led to transfer their membership to the Irvington Baptist Mission in 1959; “Mrs. Doris” again taught a class for young married women. She and her friend, Mrs. Sue Lassiter, began the Senior Saints ministry at the church. She participated in many areas of service; she was part of WMU, a deacon’s wife, and participated in Migrant Bible School with the church. In her late fifties, she returned her membership to F.B.C. Bayou La Batre, where she continued to teach Sunday School and became involved in missions. She participated in many mission trips to Mexico and Nicaragua, where she used her Spanish abilities to translate and teach. She moved to Fairhope, Al. in 1996; she joined First Baptist Church of Fairhope where she taught the Rainbow Glory Class for senior ladies until the age of 93. She had vowed to serve her Lord as long as He gave her the strength to do so. Her service spanned 76 years and her legacy is the untold number of lives to whom she taught and shared her knowledge of the gospel.Mrs. Robertson was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 37 years, Henry Francis Robertson and her beloved brother, Louis James Arbo. Her life was filled with love by four children: Doris Patricia (Mack) Tanner; Linda Pearl (Louis) Walker; Honora Frances (Mike) Lincecum; Henry Francis (Debi) Robertson; 11 grandchildren: Malcolm Tanner, Ashley Talbot, Belinda (John) Ellenburg, Rebecca (Keyser) Impastato, Cindy (Jerry) Bever, Camp (Jennifer) Walker, Jodie Duron, Matthew (Lacie) Lincecum, Bradley (Courtney) Robertson, Sarah Robertson, and Kevin Robertson; 24 great grandchildren: Tommy, Brian, and Aaron Kirksey, Shane and Shanna Tanner, Jenny Wyatt, Laura Charlton, and Hunter Ellenburg; David, Katie, Connor, Max, Christian Impastato, and Analisa Pate; Zack, Dillan, Jake, and Matthew Bever; Elaine and Julia Pearl Walker; Nora Jean Lincecum; William and Maeve Robertson, and Miller Robertson. She also has 6 great, great grandchildren: Allison Rose Kirksey, Grayson Tanner, Hadley Wyatt, Nieko and Ripley Impastato, and Charlotte Pate. The family wishes to thank Theresa Davis and caregivers, Tammy Wallace, Michelle Partridge, and Mercedes Sampson for the loving care provided in the last year. Mrs. Doris’ grandsons and great grandsons will be her pall bearers today. Interment will be in Oddfellows Cemetery, Bayou La Batre, Al.
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