Lillian Florence Schilling Robertson

Our loving Heavenly Father called Lillian Florence Schilling Robertson home on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Aunt and friend, known by her community for her acts of service, love and kindness. Lillian was a woman of God and an inspiration of strength and hope. She was a leader with a moral compass, a believer in equality for all and a lover of ALL people. Lillian had a way of making people feel special and treasured her holiday celebrations with family and friends. She blessed the lives of all who knew her and she will live in our hearts forever.
Lillian was born in Chicago, IL on Dec 11, 1929 to her parents Mary Amelia Larsen Schilling and Ralph Henry Schilling. She attended Steinmentz High School in Chicago, IL and was an avid athlete, lettering every sports she participated in. Lillian was voted "Most Friendly" in her senior year. In 1946, on a trip to Murray with a friend, she met the love of her life, Flavil Robertson. On August 21, 1948, they were married in the Arondale Methodist Church in Chicago with attendants Lois Fross and Harold Chapman. She and Flavil, former Murray Fire Chief for 20 years (affectionately known as "Chief"), resided at 211 South 13th Street in Murray since 1950. They were married for 48 ½ years until his passing on December 15, 1996.
Lillian and Flavil always dreamed of having a large family and God blessed them with their dream come true. They raised four beloved children: Rosetta Todd of Murray KY, John Robertson (deceased), Lesa Robertson of Dallas, TX, and Paul Robertson of Murray KY (deceased). Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren are Mary Anne Weatherford of Murray; Kristina Joseph Miller and children Nathaniel Joseph, Jack Hale and Amanda Grace Murray of Murray; Rebecca Beavers and daughter Reagan Beavers; Alecia Howell, husband Justin and sons Brooks and Grayson of Jackson TN; Brian Robertson of Frisco TX; Michelle Phillips, husband Channing and daughters Emma and Olivia; Andrea Casavant, husband Brian and children Charlotte and Donovan; John Casey Robertson of Iowa; Elijah Robertson of Arizona; Tristan Rice of The Colony, TX; and Elysa Ellis, husband Rory and children Ryker and Ryder of Grapevine, TX. Lillian was preceded in death by Karen Ann Robertson, an infant daughter who passed away in 1949, son John Marce Robertson who passed away in 2003, and Paul Lyles Robertson who passed away on September 7, 2021. Each is remembered, loved and missed!
Lillian's lifelong dream of becoming a nurse was realized at the age of 42. It was the same year that her daughter Rosetta also became an RN. She loved her patients and proudly wore her nursing cap when on duty. Lillian worked for Westview Nursing Home for 5 years, Murray Calloway County Hospital in the Cardiac Care ICU for four years and the Calloway County Health Department for 17 years. She also founded a support group called "Compassionate Friends" and served as a grief counselor. "Compassionate Friends" is a support group for bereaved parents who have lost a child.
Lillian was very active in her community. Her church was the First United Methodist Church of Murray, which she joined in 1950. Through the years, she served on the United Methodist Women's Board and was a member of the Wesleyan Circle, Church Council, and the "Togetherness" Sunday School Class. She loved to sing in the choir and had a beautiful voice. Lillian was a member of the Murray Women's Club Home Department, the Retirement Board for the Murray Firemen, the Danish Immigration Society, the WOW, and the Murray Grand Cross of Color Rainbow, OES # 433 where she was acting soloist.
Lillian was amazingly creative which she illustrated through painting, writing, and sewing. She was an accomplished painter and completed over 100 paintings, many of which were given with love to family and friends. Lillian enjoyed sewing and was proud to make her own wedding dress as well as a wedding dress for each of her two daughters. She wrote a true short story that was published in "The Guidepost" in August 2006 and also wrote a poem to honor the men and women serving in the military named "Putting their Boots to the Floor". A copy of the poem is displayed in the American Legion Hall here in Murray. She was delighted in creating beautiful things and happy that people enjoyed her work.
Lillian and Flavil were very patriotic and proudly displayed military documents for their families in their home ; Uncle Ernest Schilling's Civil War discharge; Nathaniel Robertson Army discharge, WWI; Ralph Schillings Navy discharge, WW1; Flavil Robertson Marine discharge, WWII; John Robertson's Airforce and Army discharge, Vietnam War.
Lillian and Flavil spend many hours researching their family genealogies. Flavil's grandfather, John Anderson came to Calloway County in 1885 from Inverness, Scotland. He married Sarah Collins Canter and they raised 11 children in Calloway County. Lillian's grandparents, Florence Jensine and Christ Larsen, came to Chicago in 1896 from Denmark. Flavil and Lillian traveled to Europe twice and loved the homelands of each grandparent.
Lillian touched the lives of countless friends and family during her 91 years. She made every day count and never missed an opportunity to make each individual feel special and loved. She will be remembered by many far and wide.
Special Family Members and Friends Remembered: Junie Schilling Epp and husband Tom of IL; Mark & Kristy Wells and son Dustin; Barbara Jim Atichen of Florida; the late Barbara Pinson of South Carolina; Aunt Bettye Robertson of Mayfield; Jensine Anderson of IL; Rick and Janise Larsen of IL; Bill Plambeck of Reno, NV; Phoebe Obermayer of Chicago; Andy and Florence Mugnolo; Charles and Jan Paloian; Barbara Hines, Lou McGarry, Daphene Mowery, Bobby Waters, Shelby Hurt, Sara Edwards, Lou McCallon, Joann Bowker, Pat Harris; Bennie & Barbara George; and Circle Members.
The family will receive guests for visitation at 1pm on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church of Murray for Lillian and her son Paul Robertson, followed immediately by a memorial service for Paul at 2pm and a service for Lillian at 3pm.
In lieu of flowers, please forward donations to Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House (803 Poplar St. Murray, KY 42071) whose loving and diligent care saw Lillian through her final days.
Go to http://www.facebook.com/murrayfumc to view the livestream. Click the red "Live" square on the post for the Robertson funeral services.
Online condolences can be made at, www.thejhchruchillfuneralhome.com