Billie Joann Robinson, age 91, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2002 due to Kidney failure and sepsis. She was born April 21, 1931 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to John D. and Eva Pearl Houchin. She married Jerral Maurice Spann on December 20. 1953 and had 3 children together. They divorced, and she met and married the love of her life and best friend Joseph Robinson on December 20, 1969, who preceded her in death on July 18, 2002. She had as mentioned 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 step-grandson, as well as 6 great grandchildren and 2 step-granddaughters. All loves of her life.
Joann Received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy in 1953, and became an elementary school teacher that same year. She used her psychology on her own children everyday as well as in the classroom. She was always busy doing something, she was never still. She played bridge, was a member of DCBE Women’s club, member of many groups at Acton Methodist Church and volunteered for everything she could. The children use to laugh among themselves that she was so busy they needed to make an appointment to see her. She had a wonderful life full of travels, her family and friends. She loved to laugh and have fun, but she could be a little inpatient too. While in the hospital she would wake up and ask “am I dead yet”, we would tell her no your still here. After about the 3rd time of asking she laid down and said “shoot, come on, let’s get this show on the road!” So even death was to slow for her.
Joann lived several years in senior living at Quail Park and she loved it. She had all the activities she wanted at her fingertips. She was a kind and loving woman who loved to hug. She didn’t want that halfhearted one arm hug, she wanted a full hug with both arms. She wouldn’t let you get away with that one arm hug either. She was a woman ahead of her times. She strongly believed in education. She would tell the kids, get an education so you can take care of yourself, you can’t depend on someone else to do it for you. She was moral, always truthful, even when you didn’t want to hear it, she told you anyway. You could always depend on her giving good advice when asked for. She was a strong and extremely independent woman. She was extremely patriotic, she was on the board of Hood County Republican party in its inception.
Joann is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Eliana Houchin, her 3 children, Debra Knipe and son-in-law Carroll Knipe, Jerral David Spann and daughter-in-law Oksana, Katherine Denise Tramel and son-in-law Chuck Tramel.
She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, Michael Knipe and wife Angela, Christopher Knipe and wife Sasha, Jacob Tramel, Jessica Spann, her one step grand-son Igor Sachko and wife Alla and Cody Spann. She is also survived by her 6 great grandchildren Madelyn Knipe, Colton Knipe, Miles Knipe and Skyleigh Spann, and her 2 step-granddaughters Viviane and Veronica. She is also survived by her 2 nephews Craig Houchin and wife Suzanne and Blake Houchin and wife Lisa. All of these she loved and touched deeply.
She will be laid to rest on August 16 at 11:00 CST at the National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. The ceremony will be able to be viewed by Zoom for those desiring to attend by viewing. Please contact debrakrn@aol.com for zooming address. There is a Celebration of Life planned for a later date.
