Verna Belle Robertson

Verna Belle Robertson left her earthly life and began her eternal life on Saturday, November 7, 2009.

Verna Belle was born on January 25, 1919 into the loving home of Will and Samantha Blair. She was the 10th of 13 children blessed to this couple. Her earliest memories included attending the local Baptist church with her family and listening to her mama play the organ. Verna married her childhood sweetheart, Fred Robertson on December 29, 1934. Fred and Verna were blessed with a son, Freddy Glen and a daughter Gladys Jane. Verna and Fred pastored churches in Rotan, Colorado City, Brownwood, and Odessa. They also served as district supervisors over churches in the Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico areas. During the summer of 1977 Verna and Fred both completed their doctorate of divinity degrees in Washington State. People who knew them rarely knew of their accomplishments. They valued their intimate relationship with Jesus more important than earthly accolades. Fred and Verna trained and mentored many ministers several who are still active in churches and foreign missions. After Fred's death in 1980, Verna took over as pastor of Tree Of Life Church in Odessa. She faithfully and wonderfully led the congregation until her retirement in April of 2003. Under her leadership many changes occurred including the beginning of the church orchestra. Verna dearly loved music and played the piano, organ, accordion, and guitar. She enthusiastically encouraged others to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." She also loved to sing and blessed the congregation often with solos and duets with Fred. Verna loved her family, and everyone she had the privilege to know she claimed them as her family. Most of all Verna loved her Lord and Savior and dearly loved introducing others to Him. "I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat, what seems each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet. I love to tell the story, for some have never heard, the message of salvation from God's own holy Word." Verna lived the words of this song until God called her home.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Will & Samantha Blair; her husband Fred Robertson; her son Freddy Robertson; her brothers Jim Blair, Jeff Blair, Ramon Blair, Bill Blair, John Blair, and Ralph Blair; her sisters Bessie Glasgow, Lydia Robertson, Frances Greathouse, Samantha Robertson, and Eudell Patterson.

Verna is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Jane and Art Jarratt of Odessa, TX; her daughter-in-law Dora Sue Robertson of Davis OK; her brother Curtis of Robert Lee, TX; her grandchildren Kristi Franklin of Davis, OK, Bob & Landra Bell, Barbara & Danny Tyler, Jon & Jennifer Jarratt all of Odessa, TX, Joe & Denise Bell of Midland, TX, Troy & Joanna Bell of N. Wilkesboro, NC, and Smady Cohen of Abilene, TX; 13 wonderful great-grandchildren; and many precious relatives and church family.

The family would especially like to thank Compass Hospice for their exemplary care and love bestowed to Verna and her family. We also want to thank Parks Methodist Retirement Home for their caring staff during Verna's physical therapy and respite care.

The family will be receiving friends from 6pm to 7pm on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Tree of Life Church in Odessa located at 1325 E. 4th street with services to follow at 7:00 PM at the church. A second funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Robert Lee Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Robert Lee Cemetery. Her grandsons Bobby Bell and Jonathan Jarratt will officiate both services. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home of Crane.