Jessica Robinson

Jessica Faye Higgins Robinson, our spiritual leader, wife, mother, and grannie, passed away unexpectedly on Good Friday, April 7, 2023. While we are broken hearted, we find joy in knowing that Jesus has welcomed her into his loving arms. Jessica was born on June 26, 1943 in Longview, TX, but spent almost her whole life in Baton Rouge, LA. She graduated from Glen Oaks High School in 1961 where she was a cheerleader, a member of the Beta Club and voted prettiest girl in the Class of 61. She met and fell in love with her husband of 60 years, Mike, at Glen Oaks. She excelled in all of her classes at LSU, but Mike proposed marriage, she said yes, and they were married at Trinity Baptist Church on Plank Road right after their 19th birthdays. When they left the church, everything that they owned was packed in their car. They honeymooned at the Candlelight Inn. After two years of marriage, Mike Jr. (her favorite) was born. Mark (her favorite) was next, and last, but certainly not least, was Matthew (her favorite). She was a wife first and a mother second, the way God intended. She cooked all the food, washed all the clothes, cleaned, mopped, sewed her own clothes (and even sewed clothes for the boys), crocheted afghans, cross stitched, caught rays in the backyard with a garden hose and made all of our bumps, bruises and sniffles go away. Her love for Mike, Sr. knew no bounds and it was fierce and she was loyal. She was his help mate, support and best friend for over 60 years. He will miss her beyond his current comprehension.

She loved Broadmoor Baptist Church where she was a member for almost 50 years. The lifelong friendships she made there were precious to her. She also taught preschool there and was the pastor’s (John W. Goodwin) secretary for many years. She introduced Mike Jr., Mark and Matthew to Jesus. On Sunday mornings, she

would start her roast in her curlers, get herself and us ready for Sunday School and off we would go every Sunday. Mike Jr., Mark and Matthew were all baptized at Broadmoor Baptist Church. She was beaming in the pews when the boys joined her in the pew with wet hair.

She loved hosting dinner parties with friends. She loved playing Rook and dominoes (42) with Mike Sr. and their friends from the church. Her overbidding was legendary, and the men loved having her as a partner. She taught her grandchildren how to play chicken foot, boggle, scrabble, and penny ante poker. She was the founding member of a “Stitch and Bitch” club where her friends would gather to stitch and bitch. The club allowed Mark to participate as a junior member because, while he was a boy, he seemed to fit right in with the ladies. The club made annual trips to the market in Canton, MS where they got to act like teenagers away from home for a couple of days. Their slogan was “what happens in Canton, stays in Canton”. If you are reading this, you know who you are and you know how much Jessica loved you.

In retirement, she got to spend the days with her great love, Mike Sr. They summered in their homes in Scaly Mountain and Highlands, NC. They moved back to Baton Rouge recently where she so enjoyed being with family and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband, Mike Robinson, Sr., her sons, Mike Jr. (Christine), Mark (Alice) and Matthew. Her eight grandchildren, JM (Lauryn), Tyler (Puddy), Ryan (Katy), Jake, Tilley, Joel, Jessica and Maddie and her great grandchild, Wesley. She is also survived by her brother Steve Higgins (Dyanne), Ruth Goodman (Kenny Joe) and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Dee Robinson.

Jessica beat cancer twice. She was a warrior. Her heart problems were confounding and we all believe she would have beat that too if only it would have been caught.

Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be private at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her name to Broadmoor Baptist Church.