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Fern Robiezine Gragg-Owens peacefully departed this life on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at her home in Monticello, Arkansas, where she had resided for 53 years. Born on December 23, 1936, in the Strangers Rest/Cornersville, AR community, she was the fifth of eleven children.
Known affectionately as Ms. Robiezine, Rob, or Bob by her friends and family, Aunt Bob by her many nieces and nephews, and she was endearingly called Punkin Boo by her grandchildren. Her most cherished name, Princess, was reserved for her beloved husband, Elvin "Buddy Love" Owens.
In her early years, she grew up on a farm, where she could work alongside the best of them. She was also an active member of Stranger’s Rest AME Church in Cornersville. Robiezine was both a scholar and an athlete. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Star City, AR, in 1954, and was known for her basketball skills. She and her sister, Jolean O’Neal, were a formidable pair on the court, with Robiezine's showcasing her mean crossover move consistently tripping up her opponents.
After high school, she spent a year at Shorter College in Little Rock, taking business and secretarial courses. However, in 1955, she chose to settle down in Monticello.
Shortly after moving to Monticello, she joined First Missionary Baptist Church in Monticello, becoming a devoted member. She actively participated in various church ministries, including serving as a choir member, where her sweet soprano voice could soothe any troubled spirit. She was also a powerful choir director for many years and an active member of the program committee and women's ministry.
Robiezine was also one of the founding members of the Junior Women’s (Black) Civic Club which was started in 1957. Their mission was to help, support, and uplift the community, such as preparing meals and providing clothes for disadvantaged children and youth. Under the leadership of Mary F. Lomax, the club was renamed, The Mary F. Lomax Civic Club. Robiezine held the positions of President, Secretary, and Hospitality Committee Chair. She served all those years alongside her best friend and sister, Jolean O’neal.
Robiezine was renowned for her warmth and kindness, frequently greeting others with a cheerful “Hey baby, how you doing?” or a supportive “You go girl.” Conversations with her often imparted valuable life lessons or left people laughing at her witty comments. She had a unique talent for brightening others' lives.
Well-known as the local funeral home guru, Robiezine dedicated her entire career to the funeral home industry. She worked at Henderson Funeral Home for over 40 years, and after its closure, she took her talents to Christian Brothers Funeral Home and Paradise Funeral Home in Monticello. She was truly dedicated to serving others in their time of need and she spent many years as a member of the Funeral Directors’ Association. After over 50 years of service, Robiezine decided to retire and spend more time serving in the community and her church.
Robiezine met the love of her life, Elvin "Buddy Love" Owens, in the summer of 1952 at the Drew County Fair. Their fateful meeting led to a lifelong union, and three years later, they were married on August 3, 1955. Their union produced three children; Rozine, Elvin Jr., and Toni. Robiezine and Buddy Love shared 67 years together until his passing in September 2022.
Above all, she loved her family with all her heart and she will be deeply missed by her surviving relatives, including her son Elvin “Little Buddy” Owens Jr. (Deborah) of Silver Spring, MD, and her youngest daughter, Dr. Toni “Shirley Temple” Brown (Craig) of Frisco, TX. Her legacy also includes eight grandchildren; Dr. Tremikae “Mickey Mouse” Owens-Henderson (James), Elvin “Bud” Owens, Jovanni “Sisco” Owens (Jasmine), Ryan Owens, Jamie “Pretty Eyes” Owens, Taelor “Angel” Pickett, Willy “Joe Louis” Pegues V, and Omare “Pretty Boy” Pittman; and seven great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her three sisters, Lena Mae Edwards (Grover - deceased), Shirley White (Albert Sr - deceased), and Pearl Copeland, all of Kansas City, KS; her three brothers, Larry Gragg Sr (Bettye) of Monticello, AR, Wayne Gragg (Artie) of Malvern, AR, and Henry Gragg of Rio Vista, CA; her brother-in-law, Donald Stewart (Gracie) of Monticello; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and former colleagues.
She is proceeded in death by her husband, Elvin “Buddy Love” Owens; her daughter, Rozine Owens; her parents, John and Iwilda Gragg; her two brothers, John Elvin Gragg (Ann), John Thomas Gragg (Effie); and two sisters, Bennie Jean Smith (Wesley) and Jolean O’neal (Cleophis).
Robiezine's absence will be deeply felt. Her infectious laugh, witty one-liners, stylish church attire - always complemented by a chic wig and hat, genuine love and care for others, dedicated community service, and unwavering devotion to our Lord and Savior will be sorely missed.
Rest In Peace
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 27, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 546 N Bailey Street in Monticello at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, AR. You can sign Robiezine’s guestbook here on her page.
Known affectionately as Ms. Robiezine, Rob, or Bob by her friends and family, Aunt Bob by her many nieces and nephews, and she was endearingly called Punkin Boo by her grandchildren. Her most cherished name, Princess, was reserved for her beloved husband, Elvin "Buddy Love" Owens.
In her early years, she grew up on a farm, where she could work alongside the best of them. She was also an active member of Stranger’s Rest AME Church in Cornersville. Robiezine was both a scholar and an athlete. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Star City, AR, in 1954, and was known for her basketball skills. She and her sister, Jolean O’Neal, were a formidable pair on the court, with Robiezine's showcasing her mean crossover move consistently tripping up her opponents.
After high school, she spent a year at Shorter College in Little Rock, taking business and secretarial courses. However, in 1955, she chose to settle down in Monticello.
Shortly after moving to Monticello, she joined First Missionary Baptist Church in Monticello, becoming a devoted member. She actively participated in various church ministries, including serving as a choir member, where her sweet soprano voice could soothe any troubled spirit. She was also a powerful choir director for many years and an active member of the program committee and women's ministry.
Robiezine was also one of the founding members of the Junior Women’s (Black) Civic Club which was started in 1957. Their mission was to help, support, and uplift the community, such as preparing meals and providing clothes for disadvantaged children and youth. Under the leadership of Mary F. Lomax, the club was renamed, The Mary F. Lomax Civic Club. Robiezine held the positions of President, Secretary, and Hospitality Committee Chair. She served all those years alongside her best friend and sister, Jolean O’neal.
Robiezine was renowned for her warmth and kindness, frequently greeting others with a cheerful “Hey baby, how you doing?” or a supportive “You go girl.” Conversations with her often imparted valuable life lessons or left people laughing at her witty comments. She had a unique talent for brightening others' lives.
Well-known as the local funeral home guru, Robiezine dedicated her entire career to the funeral home industry. She worked at Henderson Funeral Home for over 40 years, and after its closure, she took her talents to Christian Brothers Funeral Home and Paradise Funeral Home in Monticello. She was truly dedicated to serving others in their time of need and she spent many years as a member of the Funeral Directors’ Association. After over 50 years of service, Robiezine decided to retire and spend more time serving in the community and her church.
Robiezine met the love of her life, Elvin "Buddy Love" Owens, in the summer of 1952 at the Drew County Fair. Their fateful meeting led to a lifelong union, and three years later, they were married on August 3, 1955. Their union produced three children; Rozine, Elvin Jr., and Toni. Robiezine and Buddy Love shared 67 years together until his passing in September 2022.
Above all, she loved her family with all her heart and she will be deeply missed by her surviving relatives, including her son Elvin “Little Buddy” Owens Jr. (Deborah) of Silver Spring, MD, and her youngest daughter, Dr. Toni “Shirley Temple” Brown (Craig) of Frisco, TX. Her legacy also includes eight grandchildren; Dr. Tremikae “Mickey Mouse” Owens-Henderson (James), Elvin “Bud” Owens, Jovanni “Sisco” Owens (Jasmine), Ryan Owens, Jamie “Pretty Eyes” Owens, Taelor “Angel” Pickett, Willy “Joe Louis” Pegues V, and Omare “Pretty Boy” Pittman; and seven great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her three sisters, Lena Mae Edwards (Grover - deceased), Shirley White (Albert Sr - deceased), and Pearl Copeland, all of Kansas City, KS; her three brothers, Larry Gragg Sr (Bettye) of Monticello, AR, Wayne Gragg (Artie) of Malvern, AR, and Henry Gragg of Rio Vista, CA; her brother-in-law, Donald Stewart (Gracie) of Monticello; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and former colleagues.
She is proceeded in death by her husband, Elvin “Buddy Love” Owens; her daughter, Rozine Owens; her parents, John and Iwilda Gragg; her two brothers, John Elvin Gragg (Ann), John Thomas Gragg (Effie); and two sisters, Bennie Jean Smith (Wesley) and Jolean O’neal (Cleophis).
Robiezine's absence will be deeply felt. Her infectious laugh, witty one-liners, stylish church attire - always complemented by a chic wig and hat, genuine love and care for others, dedicated community service, and unwavering devotion to our Lord and Savior will be sorely missed.
Rest In Peace
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 27, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 546 N Bailey Street in Monticello at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, AR. You can sign Robiezine’s guestbook here on her page.