Karen Lucile (Crosslin)
Robinson, 87, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on October 18, 2026, at
Brookdale – Rosehill Senior Living Community in Shawnee, Kansas. A
visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Country Club Christian
Church, 6101 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64113. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 am
Tuesday, also at the Church. Graveside
services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Sharon Cemetery,
Drexel, Missouri. Services under the
direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Memorial contributions are suggested to Country Club Christian
Church - Outreach, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64113 or the Cameron
Development Center, PO Box 81, Cameron, MO 64429. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at
www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
Karen was born July 23,
1939, the only child of Sophia A. (Mothersbaugh) and Raymond T. Crosslin.
She grew up in Sedalia,
MO, and attended Washington Elementary School and graduated from Smith-Cotton
High School in 1956. She was involved in orchestra, debate and forensics, and Jobs Daughters. Her first job
was dipping ice cream at Tullis Hall Dairy in Sedalia, and she always enjoyed
attending the state fair.
After graduating from
Smith Cotton High School, she enrolled in Central Missouri State at
Warrensburg, MO. She joined Delta Zeta sorority, studied hard, enjoyed school,
and met Robert Robinson. They were married in 1959.
Karen and Robbie,
transferred to the University of Missouri – Columbia where they both
graduated. Karen received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
with a minor in Speech.
Karen followed Robbie to
Cameron, MO, for his first professional job with the Department of
Health. They were active in the Cameron’s Jaycees and were integral in
building Cameron’s first public library.
Karen founded a school
for disabled children at the First Christian Church in Cameron. The
school evolved into the Cameron Development Center. Karen received
recognition from the Center in 2000 for her early vision and compassion.
Karen had written that the school was one of her most treasured
accomplishments.
Karen, Robbie and family
relocated to Jefferson City, MO, in 1968 where they raised their children for
22 years. Karen was instrumental in launching Jefferson City’s first Head
Start program, where she led the program for several years.
Karen started a
pre-school at the First Christian Church in Jefferson City in conjunction with
the local YMCA, originally called Y-Tots. Two of Karen’s grandchildren later
attended the pre-school.
Karen loved her family
and showed them the value of honesty and hard work. She actively
supported the children’s interests in sports, Scouts, and church youth groups
as a leader, volunteer, and car-pool organizer.
Karen faithfully loved
Robbie and supported his career and interests for 63 years. They had the
opportunity to travel to many places including Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico,
Europe and the Middle East. Karen especially enjoyed their vacations in
Barbados with family and friends.
Karen and Robbie
supported the Micah Ministry in Kansas City, helping distribute clothing and
necessities for over 15 years.
Karen enjoyed living at
Kingswood where she had many friends and participated in many activities
including playing cards and the book club. Karen’s last act of charity
was in August 2026, leading a school supplies drive at Kingswood for the
Academy of Integrated Arts, a charter school in Kansas City.
Karen was preceded in
death by Robbie and her parents. She is survived by her children, Dawn Dolliver
(Matt), Lance Robinson (Becky), and Cory Robinson; grandchildren, Aubrie White
(Brandon), Andrew Dolliver (Hannah), Bari Robinson, and Spencer Robinson. She
also leaves behind six great-grandchildren, Caleb, Quinn Anne, Daniel and
Hallie White, James Michael and Piper Dolliver, and his sister Martha Hunt
(Harland).
Please celebrate a Life
well Lived!
