Karen Renee Robbins

Karen Renee Robbins, 60, of Lumberton, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025. She was born June 7, 1964, in Fort Worth, to Linda Faye Burks Oliver and Bobby Lee Oliver.

There are some things that everyone knew about Karen. She loved to talk, and she loved to comfort others. So, you can imagine that if there was an issue, she was going to help you feel better—and even if she didn’t have the answers, you always ended the conversation knowing that you were loved. As her best friend, Janice, said, “Karen was the most selfless and non-judgmental person I’ve ever met.” And to make things even better, whatever you told her was forever safe, which brings me to more of Karen’s attributes—she would not rat you out. Her eldest sibling, Teresa, says Karen was a “cool kid” and thought she was supposed to hang out with her and her friends. She always took part in their shenanigans and never told on them. Karen slept with Teresa every night until they were old enough to move out. Sometimes, they would get themselves so scared with their stories that they would have to run and jump in bed with their brother, Robby. As Teresa says, “Karen was a mess. She was cute, funny, and smart. She was mature beyond her years. She was important!”

When Karen married Mark with two sons, Shawn and Shane, she immediately became an amazing mother. You would’ve thought she had given birth to them. She loved them, fussed at them, and took care of them.  She fought for them when it was necessary and always had their well-being at heart. Teresa is right, Karen was important! Jessica came along and was the apple of all their eyes. The boys and Jessica completed her family.  She and Mark had a deep love and shared many ups and downs together.  As their children grew up, many of their friends thought of Karen as a second mom.

Karen thought she had the best life until she became a grandmother, and that was even better! After that, you could not hold a conversation without her talking about every single one of them and telling what they were each accomplishing. She was very proud that Kadence is a cheerleader and beautiful to boot. Garrett is now playing football and is the best kid on the team. Grant excels in sports with his speed and agility, and he is also the smartest kid in his class. Aubrey is so talented at dance, and she can really pose for pictures like a model. She loved being Mimi or Meme depending on which grandchild was writing it. She even became an honorary grandmother to the neighborhood children, Coco and Cam Hanson, of whom even called her Mimi.

Karen shared a message of hope and faith with others, even taking in her stepmother, Stella, that had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Karen stepped right in. With her take-charge style, Karen educated herself on the disease and Stella’s medications. She spoke with her medical care team about what was working and what wasn’t. She helped relieve her fear and gave her comfort.

When Karen got sick, she showed what a fighter she could be. Having a double lung transplant was quite a setback, but we all continued to learn from Karen. As a sweet friend, Andrenetta said, “Karen fulfilled God’s plan for her life. She gave some faith, some hope, and taught us all how to love one another. Job well done, good and faithful servant. Karen is resting now, peacefully, in the arms of our Lord.”

Survivors include her husband, Mark Robbins; children, Shane Christopher Robbins and wife, Crystal, and Jessica Marie Kline and husband, Chris; grandchildren, Kadence Robbins, Garrett Roberts, Grant Robbins, and Aubrey Kline; and siblings, Teresa Faye Hall and Robby Lee Oliver.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Shawn David Robbins; and in-laws, Dorothy Robbins and Edward Theodore Robbins.

A Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m., with a gathering of Mrs. Robbins’ family and friends to follow until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 11, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches, with her interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.

Memorial contributions in Mrs. Robbins’ honor may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306.