History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
Our History
For over 120 years, families of Jefferson County and the surrounding area have trusted Ralph Robinson & Son. That trust has never been misplaced. Through the generations, the Robinsons have built a tradition of service, value, giving to this community and expertly caring for your needs when you need us most.
Ralph Robinson originally came to Pine Bluff as a cabinet maker for the railroad. In 1890 he acquired an existing livery stable and opened a cabinet shop above it. Among the things he made was a cradle so unique that its design was awarded a patent. He began making caskets and renting the horse-drawn hearse and carriages from his stable, and in 1892 began his own funeral service company on Barraque Street in Pine Bluff.
After Ralph passed away in 1924, his son, Adam Robinson, ran the business. During the Great Depression, Adam would often take food, livestock, or other bartered items for payment for funeral services because that was the only way many of his clients could pay.
Adam Robinson died in 1940 at a very young age. His wife, Emma Wilbourne Robinson brought an elegance and sophistication to Robinson's. Although it was very unusual at that time for a woman to run a business, many still talk today about her grace and care for others. She died in 1972. Her son, Adam B. Robinson, came to work with his mother after college and a tour with the United States Army during World War II.
Emma Robinson and her son, Adam, built the current location at 807 Cherry Street in 1954 and moved in in 1955. Robinson's had an ambulance service until 1964.
Adam Robinson, Jr. started working full-time for the funeral home in the early 1970s. He built two new visitation rooms onto the building in 1985 as more people started having visitations in the funeral home instead of at their family homes. He and his dad, along with a wonderful and dedicated staff, grew the business by making sure every family served by Robinson's got the attention they needed and deserved.
Our Valued Staff
Adam Robinson Jr., President
Scott Robinson, Vice President
Scott was reared and received his early education in Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1997. He earned his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Lyon College in Batesville in 2001. Scott earned his MBA from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 2002 and an Associates Degree in Funeral Service from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 2003.
He currently lives in White Hall with his wife, Amber, and their favorite Jefferson County Humane Society rescue dog, Oreo. Scott is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff.
Scott is a member of the Rotary Club of West Pine Bluff, Kiwanis Club of Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce and White Hall Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County and Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation.
Jerrell Dortch, Operations Manager
Jerrell K. Dortch has been with Ralph Robinson & Son for over 37 years. He is married to Debbie, and they have two sons, Jarrod and his wife, Kaira, and their daughter, Addisyn, and their other son, J Kelly. Jerrell has worked for 4 generations of Robinsons and probably is the only person that has or will ever have that distinction.
Wayne Easterly, Preneed Manager
Wayne was born and reared in Sheridan, Arkansas. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1972, attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and graduated from the Kentucky School for Mortuary Science in Louisville, Kentucky.
He is married to the former Debbie Commer of Pine Bluff and they have two daughters, Stephanie and Stacy.
Wayne is a member of Watson Chapel Baptist Church, where he is a member of the Adult Choir.
He started working for Ralph Robinson & Son in 1977 and now serves as Preneed Manager. He is a licensed life insurance agent.
Wayne currently serves as 2nd Ward Alderman for the City of Pine Bluff, where he chairs the Administration Committee, and a member of the Ordinance and Resolutions, Public Safety and Public Works Committees.
He is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Pine Bluff, past president of the Advisory Council for RSVP and a past member of the Election Commission of Jefferson County.
Rush Hobbs, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Rush was born and reared in Forrest City, Arkansas. He graduated from Forrest City High School. Rush attended Arkansas State University, East Arkansas Community College, Delta State University and Dallas Institute for Mortuary Science, where he graduated in 1977.
He has been married to his wife, Sheila, for over 36 years. Rush has worked for Ralph Robinson & Son for over 20 years.
Maggie Shell-Howsen, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Margaret "Maggie" Shell-Howsen, a Pine Bluff native, graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1997. After exploring other courses of study, she attended the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, earning an associate's degree in Funeral Science in 2004. She took an apprentice position at Ralph Robinson & Son in June of 2004. After receiving her dual licenses in funeral directing and embalming, she accepted a full-time position with Robinson's and has continued to serve families of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County and the surrounding areas. In 2009, she married Steven Howsen and together they have one daughter, Ansley and two sons, Avery Peyton and Austin Howsen. She is a member of Central Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff, where she and her family participate in many church events.
Hershell Stackhouse, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Hershell is a 1991 graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, Indiana. In May of 2012, Hershell will mark 20 years as an Arkasnas licended Funeral Director and Embalmer. He has worked in Arkansas for most of his career except for one year in Texas. Hershell has been at Robinson's for the last 10 years. Hershell says it is an honor to serve the folks of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County and the surrounding areas in their time of need.
Hershell lives in Redfield with his wife of 30 years, Jan, and their daughter, Erika. They have another daughter, Erin, and a son, Robert.
Jimmy Herring, Funeral Director
Jimmy Herring, Jr. is a lifetime resident of White Hall. He graduated from White Hall High School. He has worked for Robinson's for 16 years, where he serves as a funeral director. He is married to his wife, Tina Herring, and they have one daughter, Tiffany Martin.
He enjoys spending time in the outdoors, hunting and fishing.
Jimmy is a member of Hardin New Life Apostolic Church.
Russell Melton, Funeral Assistant
Russell Melton, a Pine Bluff native, graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1979. After owning and operating his family business for over 20 years, he came to Ralph Robinson & Son as a Funeral Director's Assistant. He and his wife, Mindy, live in White Hall, Arkansas and attend Oakland Heights Missionary Baptist Church. He has a son, Russell Melton, Jr. and two step children, Tamera and Matt Jackson, and three grandchildren. He enjoys hunting, fishing and the outdoors.
Tina Strawn Keahey, Accounting Manager
Tina Strawn Keahey (Accounting Manager) – 1984 graduate of White Hall High School and 1989 graduate of South Central Career College Paralegal Program. She has been employed with Robinson’s since 1995.
Tina is married to R. Neal Keahey and has one son, Murphy Kyle Plunkett. She is a member of Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church and is a Praise and Worship Leader for their contemporary service.
Sharon Smith, Administrative Assistant
Sharon was born in Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1967. After a long period of time, she graduated with honors from the School of Life.
She is married to Earl Smith, who retired from International Paper as an instrument technician. She has one daughter, Rachelle; three step-daughters, Jaynie, Laura and Susan; granddaughter, Abbey; three step-grandsons and two step-granddaughters.
When she moved back from Michigan, she worked for the Ramsey Bridgforth Robinson and Raley Law Firm as a legal secretary for two years. When the firm downsized, she was hired by Ralph Robinson & Son on March 1, 1985 as a secretary. She is most proud of her years at Robinson's and the care and concern, that not only she has provided, but the funeral directors, embalmers and other staff have provided.
She has worked for the funeral home for over 25 years, taking care of the needs of our families helping them with the filing of death certificates, notifying Social Security, filing insurance claim forms, Railroad Retirement forms when needed, and notifying and filing the necessary paperwork with the Veteran's Administration. In addition, she prepares register books for the families, among many other duties to help prepare for the funeral service of a loved one.
She and her husband attend Center Grove United Methodist Chiurch and she is the President of United Methodist Women, and serves on the Nominating Committee for the South Central District of the UMW.
She loves reading, movies, traveling and spending time with hergranddaughter, Abbey.
Carolyn Stover, Receptionist/Music Coordinator
Ham Waddle, Part-Time Funeral Associate
Gary Camp, Part-Time Funeral Associate
Nancy Camp, Part-Time Funeral Associate
Derwood Smith, Part-time Funeral Associate