On Sunday, June 3rd, our brave and beautiful mother, Ellon Marie Robison, triumphed over pain and disease and fell into the loving arms of Jesus. Our hearts are both sad and joyful as we mourn her passing while celebrating her ultimate freedom.

Ellon Marie Robison was born Nov. 2, 1932, in Tulsa, OK and moved to Imperial Valley, California as a young child. She married her high school sweetheart, James Monroe Robison, with whom she had three children – Carrie Robison Young, Jim Robison, Brent Robison – and 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

From their earliest years together, and for the next 42 years, Marie faithfully served alongside her husband in ministry. Feeling a call to full-time ministry, the young couple left Imperial Valley and relocated to southern Oregon to begin their journey. During the week, Monroe worked as a pressman at a local printing company, while holding Sunday services in a small laundromat in downtown Lakeside. Lakeside Assembly of God was soon launched and continues in ministry to this day.
After several years as Senior Pastors, the couple heard the call to the mission fields of West Africa. In 1960, along with their two young children, Carrie and Jim, the Robison family departed for Nigeria, West Africa. While Monroe was busy printing gospel literature, Marie was instrumental in establishing the A/G National Women's Ministries departments in Nigeria and then later in Ghana. In 1967, their 3rd child, Brent, was born in Nigeria—and by August of that year, the couple and their 3 children were forced to leave Nigeria as the Biafran War escalated.

The Robisons moved to Ghana to continue their ministry at The Assemblies of God Literature Center (AGLC) in Accra. Their ministry continued to be blessed as the AGLC team of missionaries expanded production operations, while Marie worked diligently to help the A/G Women's Ministries Department expand its outreach to her beloved women of Ghana. Women's Ministries exploded into Central and Northern Ghana with Marie holding week-long rallies in cities across the country. By the hand of the Lord, thousands of women were saved, baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit at these events. Marie helped establish Ghanaian leadership for the Ghanaian National Women's Ministries department, mentoring and ministering along the way. The Robisons would remain in Ghana until 1980, and after nearly 23 years ministering in West Africa, they returned to the U.S. where they served with Life Publishers in Miami, Florida for another 10 years.

During their 10 years of missionary ministry at Life Publishers, the couple also worked as adult Sunday school teachers at Christian Life Center in Fort Lauderdale under Pastor Max Yeary. Once officially “retired” they moved to Springfield, Missouri, where they began helping with a new church plant – a small church meeting in a bookstore, James River Assembly of God. They found themselves once again volunteering as Adult Sunday School teachers, this time under Pastor John Lindell. Over the years, the couple focused actively on helping churches, ministries and non-profits – continually pursuing their commitment to the calling.

Their “retirement” years in the Ozarks were full of entrepreneurial ventures and a rapidly expanding family. Marie was a vital part of establishing Robison Printing, Inc. in 1990, a company which continues to this day. She was an indefatigable soldier and was always in motion—ever ready to move heaven and earth to help a friend or ministry in need. “No” was never an answer for Marie.
A loving wife, mother, friend and warrior of the Cross, Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Monroe; parents Jack & Lillie Nale; parents-in-law Andy and Edna Robison, brothers Thomas, Lee Roy, and Jack Nale; sister-in-law Midge Nale; brother-in-law Mack Brand; son-in-law, C.R. Lucky Young; nephews Darrell Nale and Tommy Ware; and great-grandsons Jude & Jaxon Robison.

She is survived by her children; a brother, Henry Nale, a sister, Shirley Ware; brothers-in-law Don Ware, Gene Robison, Leroy Robison, Robbie Robison, Tom Fox, Terry Floyd; and sisters-in-law Peggy Nale, June Brand, Gladys Fox, Merle Robison, and Linda Floyd. Many nieces, nephews, and loving friends across continents also mourn her passing with us.

A memorial service to celebrate Marie’s life of commitment to others will be held June 8th, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, Springfield, MO. Burial follows at Delaware Cemetery, Nixa, MO. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Thursday, June 7th at the funeral home.

Dementia stole Marie’s ability to continue the life she loved – but it could not take away the impact she had on countless lives. Her legacy of faith and commitment, the lessons of her life and the wisdom of her words remain deeply rooted in our hearts.