JONESBORO — Freda Jo Branan Robbins

completed her long road home on September 5, 2021. She was born to Walter Branan and Essie (Rushing) Branan in Pine Bluff, Ark. She graduated from Pine Bluff High School and continued her education at Navarro College in Texas.

Freda was a gifted artist whose love for art permeated every season and aspect of her life. As a child, a tablet and piece of charcoal were her best friend. She drew and designed clothing for her paper dolls, and as she grew older, designed and sewed clothing for herself and her daughter. She worked as a graphic artist and designer in various locations throughout Arkansas and Texas, even designing and drawing the full page newspaper advertising for Dillard’s. She found a profound joy in painting; even though her hands were crippled by rheumatoid arthritis, she created hundreds, if not thousands, of beautiful paintings, which delighted anyone who saw them.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Robbins; and sister, Lennie Browning. Survivors include two children, Michael Stevenson and wife, Kerri, of Jonesboro; daughter, Faith (Stevenson) Houck; and husband, Tim, of Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters, Ruby Hudson and husband, Danny, of Fairfield Bay, Brenda Wilson and husband, Noble, of East End; two grandchildren, Branan and Arabella Stevenson of Jonesboro; and lifelong close friend, Vicki Hooker of Jonesboro.

For lasting memorials, please consider the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 East Matthews, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401. The family wishes to express a tremendous amount of gratitude to the staff, who made Freda’s last month of life full of joy, peace, and love.

A celebration of life service will be Saturday, September 11, at Emerson Funeral Home, 1629 E. Nettleton Avenue in Jonesboro, with the visitation at 1 p.m. and the service beginning at 2 p.m.