Nedra Searle Robison was born on January 31st, 1923 to Charles Delbert Searle and Ruth Maxfield in Delta, Utah, the ninth of ten children. Her maternal grandparents, who also lived in Delta, were Hiett Elijah Maxfield and Ruth Chilton Covert. Hiett Elijah was the oldest son of Elijah Hiett Maxfield and Helen Alcy Tanner. Her life began before electricity and spanned the Great Depression and WWII. She has had quite a ride!
She grew up on a farm with all the work and the fun that experience provided. She attended Delta High School and was involved in a variety of activities including Drum and Bugle Corp, cheerleader, yearbook editor, operettas, Prom Chairman and class officer. She graduated in 1941 as Valedictorian and was awarded the Danforth Leadership Award.
While a student at BYU, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States entered WWII. She moved to Salt Lake to work in the Federal Reserve Bank, replacing a man who went to war. Her High School sweetheart, George Almon Robison from Hinckley, Utah came home on a short leave and proposed to her. She married her handsome B-17 Pilot in the Salt Lake Temple on May 29th, 1944. She was able to accompany him as he trained before being shipped overseas. She returned home to work at the bank in Delta.
After the war ended Almon returned home. He became a student at the U of U and their first two children were born—Jacquelyn Robison Lambert and Lynette Robison Kinsman. Two more children were later added to the family—Gregory Almon Robison and Paul Searle Robison. Life was busy and joyful as the family worked and played together.
She loved learning and took classes until she completed her Bachelors Degree cum laude at the U of U and later went on to get Masters Degrees in Child Psychology with Honors and as an Education Specialist. She completed several endorsements in education including Special Ed., Remedial Reading, Kindergarten Specialist, School Councilor, Curriculum Development, and finally Administration. She used all of these in working for Granite School District for 28 years. When she was named a principal in 1972 she was the third woman to be named in Granite School District which was the largest district in the state. She was selected for many leadership positions in the state including Women’s State Legislative Council, President of Delta Kappa Gamma Education Organization, and a Fellow of the Utah Principals Academy. She had the opportunity to travel the Western States in her supervisory capacities.
Her beloved husband and companion died of cancer in 1981 leaving her a young widow. She carried forward in her usual self reliant, industrious and efficient manner.
Ever faithful, she has served in many callings in the LDS Church including some of her favorites as Relief Society President, Jr. Sunday School Coordinator, and Gospel Doctrine Teacher. After she retired she served a full time mission in the Philippines where she taught refugees English, as well as setting up immunization and water purification clinics. Ever a teacher, she worked hard and accomplished much.
After her mission she filled her time as a guide on Temple Square as well as a Hostess at the Church Office Building. She enjoyed working for several years in the Salt Lake Temple. She learned computer skills and genealogy programs and has worked tirelessly on genealogy. She served in the Genealogy Library sharing her skills with others.
She has explored large swaths of our planet having visited over forty-some-odd countries. She has watched the sun rise over Mt. Everest and floated on the Dead Sea at sunset. She has held her grandchildren and great-grandchildren on her knee and told them stories of the ‘Olden Days.” She has been a lifelong teacher and taught the privileged and learned as well as the destitute. She fashioned an enduring, eternal partnership with her husband and served and loved her children, who love her. It’s been a wonderful life!