ROBIN FRENCH WYNNE

went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 21 of 2023 at UAMS in Little Rock surrounded by his family. Justice Wynne was guided in life by his unwavering faith, love of family and service to others. He was born to the late Thomas Duncan and Margaret West Wynne on February 15, 1953, in Warren, Ark. Justice Wynne is survived by his beloved wife, Margo Sanders Wynne; his four sons and spouses, Robin, Jr. and Ashley Wynne, Christopher and Jessica Wynne, Grant and Ann-Elizabeth Wynne, and Hayden Wynne; nine grandchildren, Robin III, Wilson, and Beau Wynne; Melina, Everly, Stella, and Harlow Wynne, Palmer and Grant Wynne, Jr. He is survived by his siblings Westy Roark, Tom Wynne, III, and Terry Wynne.

Justice Wynne was first elected to the Arkansas Supreme Court in 2014. In November 2022, the people of Arkansas re-elected Justice Wynne for another 8-year term. During his service on the High Court, the Justice supervised the offices of Supervising Justice to Access to Justice, Client Security Fund, and Unauthorized Practice of Law. In doing so, he championed the rights of all people to have keys to the courthouse regardless of demographics while also promoting the integrity and non-partisan nature of the judiciary. Justice Wynne commanded an elevated tone and tenor in all of his Supreme Court opinions and refused to engage in partisan rancor. In essence, he was the epitome of a jurist for all jurists. His passion to mentoring and educating the next generation of lawyers led him to become an adjunct professor of law at the University of Arkansas School of Law, UALR Bowen School of Law, and Philander Smith College. Furthering his commitment to future lawyers, Justice Wynne would hire law students as his administrative assistants. In addition to his judicial career, Justice Wynne served on the United Methodists of Arkansas Board of Ordained Ministry. He was a delegate to the United Methodist Church Annual Conference. He was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church where he served on the Finance committee. Justice Wynne was a lay pastor for Redfield United Methodist Church and preached at many other Arkansas Methodist churches. Justice Wynne grew up in Fordyce, Ark. Following his graduation from Fordyce High School, he earned his degree in History from Harvard University in 1975, graduating cum laude. Returning to Arkansas, he received his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He also attended Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. Justice Wynne’s legal career was grounded in his early work as a partner of the Wynne and Wynne Law Firm, served as Fordyce City Attorney, Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District, Dallas County District Judge, Arkansas Court of Appeals District 5, and the Arkansas Supreme Court. He also served two terms as an Arkansas State Representative. Despite his immense professional accomplishments, Justice Wynne was most proud of his role as husband, father, and grandfather. He and Margo, married for forty-three years, shared a life with a focus on family above all else. Justice Wynne, lovingly called “Big Cat” by his nine grandchildren, instilled in his children the importance of family and faith. He spent over twenty years of his life coaching Little League and never missed his sons’ games. He was immensely proud to be Big Cat to his grandchildren, always prioritizing his time with them despite his busy judicial career. He has served as a shining example of what a husband and father should be to his four sons, and though his family is heartbroken over his passing they know through his steadfast faith that he is at peace with the Lord.

Justice Wynne’s family will host a memorial service on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11 a.m. The service will be at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodists Church, 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, Ark. 72205; Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation, 425 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 480, Little Rock, Ark.72201, or UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Foundation Fund, 4301 W. Markham Street, #716, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. To sign online guestbook please visit: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal