Robbie Jarrett Rossi

Robbie Ruth Jarrett Rossi, 93, passed peacefully into her Lord's presence on November 19, 2025. She was at home and surrounded by her family, listening to her favorite hymns.

She was born on April 24, 1932, in Foreman, AR, to Carlton Jeffers and Ora Estie Smalling Jeffers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother Ferrell Jeffers (Wilma), and her older sister Evelyn Sain (Lester). Her niece Marcie Peeples, and her grandchildren Michael and Hannah Mosely, also preceded her.

Her younger sister Frances Davis (Frank, deceased), 90, now living in Richmond, AR, mourns her passing and rejoices in her homegoing.

Robbie lived a vibrant life that was blessed with a large family and many remarkable friends. She was married to and survived four 'very good men' (as she regularly reminded us) Edward Withem, Raymond Russell, Donald Jarrett, and Ralph Rossi.

She is survived by her four children - Edward Russell (Donna, deceased), Judy Mosely (Charles), Nancy Stuart (Ron), Donna Buckman (Robert, deceased), and stepsons Steve Jarrett (Lauranne), Wayne Rossi (Kathy), Joey Rossi, and Michael Rossi.

Grandchildren:

Cori Thompson (Don), Tiffany Pritchard (Deryk), Brittany Hosier (Michael), Kelli Espinoza (Art), John Mosely, Amanda Stuart, Melissa Donley (Alan), Blake Buckman, and Robbie Buckman and step-grandchildren Ty Jarrett and Jesse Jarrett

Great Grandchildren:

Gracie Kate Horras, Hannah Perkins (Issac), Ayden Pritchard, Eli Pritchard, Bella Hill, Addi Hill, Tristan Hosier, Evan Espinoza, Ever Espino (Joshua), Emery Cottingim (Micah), Ean Espinoza, Kaden Stuart (Olivia), Easton Turner, Bradley Kilgore (Kauleen)

Great great grandchildren:

Reed Kilgore and Sterling Stuart

She was raised on the family farm in Foreman, Arkansas. The family moved to Lodi, CA when she was 9 and moved back to AR When she was a junior in high school. Robbie was not happy about that move. She said she was never a farm girl and wanted to leave the country life as soon as possible.

At 18, she moved to San Diego, CA with her little son Eddie and lived there for 2 years, working as a dental assistant. She loved San Diego but life took her back to Arkansas and while in Texarkana, she met a handsome young man named Ray Russell. They married in 1951 and moved to El Paso, TX where their 3 daughters were born. After 4 years they moved to Marshall, TX where Ray worked at Thiokol and Robbie managed the family cafe, Russell's Cafe.

As fiercely loyal friends they followed their best friends Sid and Betty Harbison to Rancho Cordova, CA where Sid had received a job offer from Thiokol. Robbie was a teller at Bank of America while they were in California.

After 3 years they moved back to El Paso where she worked at Basset National Bank and then as a switchboard operator and personnel manager at Sears at Five Points and Cielo Vista for 21 years. She hired many young people and others who have remembered her fondly throughout her life.

She was a faithful follower of her Lord Jesus for most of her life and an active member of Bethany Christian Church in El Paso for many decades.

After a difficult divorce from Ray in 1980, Robbie was married to Don Jarrett for 6 years until his untimely death in 1987. Her marriage to Don, though relatively short, was a time of healing, new beginnings and adventure! They built a new home in East El Paso and traveled together on Don's motorcycle and in his RV. She also grew very close to Don's son Steve who was in high school when they met. She has remained close to Steve, his family and Don's family throughout the years to this day. After Don's death, she relocated back to her hometown area in Arkansas for 3-4 years. She enjoyed being close to her Arkansas family, where Eddie, Nancy, Frances, their families and other family members lived. She loved catfish dinners at the Fish Bowl on the highway to Yarborough Landing which is owned by Aunt Frances' grandson Jeff Tong and his wife Lindsey. While living in Ashdown, AR Robbie enjoyed selling pre-arranged funerals for Madden Funeral Home.

After moving back to El Paso, she married long time friend Ralph Rossi in 1992. They enjoyed a remarkable relationship until his death in 2006. During their marriage they helped Donna care for her two sons, Blake and Robbie for over 10 years.

Ralph and Robbie also were active members in the El Paso Eastside Lions Club where she, Ray, Ralph and Ralph's former wife Alleene had been members for years.

She served as President, Vice President, Secretary, Lion Tamer, and Tail Twister. For her extraordinary service she was voted Lion of the Year and recognized as a Legacy Lion and a Melvin Jones Fellow.

At various times in her life she loved to journal, collect greeting cards sent to her, collect and catalog photos from every trip and event, oil paint (took lessons from Lester Hughes), play cards and dominos, exercise, take drives, walk her dogs, and attend her Bible studies and prayer meetings. She loved to go out and eat (Red Lobster, Michelino’s, and Julio's), to have a glass of Beringer White Zin or a salty margarita. She faithfully sent greeting cards to family and friends for every special day and event.

Robbie enjoyed traveling throughout her latter years with trips to Alaska, Europe, eastern and western US coasts Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Sedona and many trips to her beloved San Diego...where on one trip she found the apartment she lived in when she was 18.

But most of all she loved spending time with her family!

She was our greatest cheerleader, always believing in us, praying for and forgiving us, encouraging and challenging us to be all we could be. She was Mom and Mamaw to all of us and so proud to be a great great grandmother to Reed and Sterling. She knew every birthday, every anniversary, every important event for each one.

And she loved to dress up in one of her many colorful outfits and 'big' jewelry to celebrate. And if there wasn't anything specific to celebrate, she liked to dress up anyway!

She loved life! She loved the Lord, her friends and she loved her family. And we all loved her, through all of life's ups and downs, through it all. We will always deeply love and appreciate you, Mom!

Our family wants to thank Mom's doctors, Muneer Assi and Julie Zuniga for their excellent care during the last 10 years. We also appreciate the nurses and staff of Grandview Hospice. Victoria, Gabriel, Lucy and Lorena, you all were wonderful. And much love to Brenda Cervantes and Abby Venturella of Provision Home Care and her caregivers Blanca and Jaden for their tender care of our Mamaw over the last 6 months. All of Mom's healthcare team have become special friends during this time in our life.

Also very special and deep appreciation to all our great friends at Cross of Grace Church who became a part of Mom's extended family over the last 8-10 years. Your care for her and our family through delicious meals and thoughtful gifts, home visits filled with prayer and the joy of the Lord and regular side-splitting laughter was such a needed and welcomed blessing to us!

Mom loved you guys more than we do…if that's possible.

And finally and most importantly, thank you Lord Jesus for the gift of salvation by your grace! Thank you for our wonderful mother and Mamaw. Lord, you truly are the Giver of Good Gifts and we are the tremendously grateful recipients!

Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Cross of Grace Church, 4700 Leeds Ave. Graveside Service will be held at 2:30 PM, Monday, December 1, 2025 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson.

In lieu of flowers the family of Mrs. Rossi would like to suggest two charities to donate to:

1) Rancho 3M Orphanage: rancho3m.com.

"Rancho 3M is a Christian orphanage and school that exists for the glory of God Almighty. Our mission is to rescue, caring for, train, and disciple at-risk and orphaned children for the glory of God. Our aim is to send out mature believers with sound Biblical doctrine and a love for the local church to advance the Kingdom of God in Mexico and beyond."

Please follow these instructions if you prefer to make a donation by check:

Make a check payable to “Rancho 3M”. (Please be sure to include your email address with your check donation if you’d like an end-of-year tax-deductible receipt in January).

Mail your check to: Rancho 3M, P.O. Box 3660, Fabens, TX 79838.

2) El Paso Downtown Lions Club: elpasodowtownlions.org.

Attn: Texas Lions Camp Fund