Thelma Ruth Robertson

Thelma Ruth Robertson, 80, of Benton, originally of Alpine, on June 15, 2023, while holding hands with her daughter, was released from her earthly bonds by angels to touch the face of God.

She was the wife of the late Lt. Colonel Thomas Alton Robertson Jr. They shared 60 years of marriage to together. She was born in Alpine, Ark., on May 14, 1943. She was the daughter of the late William Jasper Pittman of Alpine and Nora Miracle Pittman, also of Alpine. She was the youngest and last surviving member of five siblings. She was a fifth generation Arkansan.

She is survived by her daughters, Missy Robertson Bullard and her husband, Jay Bullard Sr., of Blytheville; Holly Robertson Bunner and her husband, Randy Bunner, of Fayetteville; and Orene Pittman (sister-in-law) of Alpine. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Brad Bullard (wife Robin) of Vilonia, Ryan Bullard Sr. of Blytheville, Jay Bullard Jr. (wife Mercedes) of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Dylan Bullard of Jonesboro, Julia Bullard of Jonesboro, Anna Tanner (husband Carter) of Bryant, Tascha Lee (husband Brandon) of Fayetteville, Trina Perkins (husband Nick) of Fayetteville and Bell Bunner of Fayetteville, as well as by her great-grandchildren, RJ Bullard, Ian Bullard, Johnny Morrow, Carolyne Bullard, Liam Bullard, Hudson Bullard, Bo Bullard, Gabby Perkins, Kylie Tanner, Kameron Tanner, Karter Tanner, Kennedy Tanner and Kayden Tanner.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Jasper Pittman; mother, Nora Miracle Pittman; husband, Thomas Alton Robertson Jr.; two sons, Christopher Warren Robertson and Michael Thomas Robertson; along with her siblings, Kenneth Pittman, Irene Tate Hickman, Elsa Doss and Lily Hancock.

Thelma Ruth Robertson was raised in the country. She spent her youth playing, working and traveling on old gravel roads with her family, cousins and friends. She enjoyed playing basketball in high school, sewing, reading, cooking and spending time with her future husband, Thomas Alton Robertson, Jr., her soulmate. She graduated from Amity High School in 1961 and then attended Henderson State University at Arkadelphia where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1965. During this time, she married her childhood sweetheart, Lt Colonel Thomas Alton Robertson Jr., in 1962. As an Air Force wife, she had many responsibilities. She lovingly raised and managed her family while her husband was off keeping our country safe. She was a dedicated volunteer for the Red Cross for many years as well as sponsored numerous charities with the Officer’s Wives Club. She was stationed in: Laredo A.F.B., Texas, Little Rock A.F.B., Arkansas, Grand Forks A.F.B., North Dakota, Castle A.F.B., California, Offutt A.F.B., Nebraska, Eaker A.F.B., Arkansas and McGuire A.F.B., New Jersey. While living in New Jersey, she earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education. Once her husband retired from the USAF, they came back home to Arkansas. After 26 1/2 years of being an officer’s wife, she ended her career as a Family & Consumer Science teacher in Bryant before retiring.

Visitation will be 12:00 noon Saturday, June 24, at Sweet Home Primitive Baptist Church near Alpine. Services will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Johnny McAnally officiating. The burial will be in Alpine Cemetery.

Services are by Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home 517 Clay St., Arkadelphia, AR 71923.