ROBSON, Elma (Iles)

Elma Iles Robson, Ponca City resident, passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at her home. She was 91. Elma Robson was born July 13, 1918, in Prague, the daughter of Frank and Nettie Hull Iles. She attended schools in Prague and graduated from Prague High School. Her parents and grandparents were pioneer Oklahomans. Her grandfather, Harry C. Iles, was a physician who came to Oklahoma from Kansas. Her grandparents who encouraged her in her love of music raised Elma. At age 15 Elma played the piano for silent movies at the Prague Theater. After graduating from high school, she attended Oklahoma College for Women and Central State in Edmond. Her major was vocal music with a minor in English. She was voted Outstanding Music Student her senior year and was a graduate instructor. She taught music in Cherokee for one year where she met Allen Robson. They were married July 5, 1941, and lived in Wagoner until her husband enlisted in the Navy. After watching him leave, she worked in Princeton, N.J., and lived on the Princeton campus in a dormitory for Navy wives. Deciding to return to Oklahoma she was contacted by a friend to come to Ponca City where she taught music at Lincoln, Garfield, Woodlands, Trout and East Junior High. Active in music clubs, she directed the Ann Yeary Bell Choir at First United Methodist Church and was a member of PEO Chapter CN, later FC; 20th Century Club, Ponca City Music Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, and First United Methodist Church Choir. She retired from teaching in the public schools in 1978. Elma loved music and loved to sing and play until shortly before her death; she still played extremely well. Even as she maintained her love of music, she loved OSU football and basketball almost as well. Her greatest joy, in her last years, was sitting in Robbie's TV room watching OSU play football as friends enjoyed the game with her. Allen and Elma had one son, Joe Allen Robson. Elma loved Joe unconditionally; he was the light of her life. After her husband's retirement as superintendent of the PCPS, Allen and Elma spent many years traveling both in the U.S. and abroad. Elma and Robbie never missed an OSU football or basketball game. They loved their Cowboys. Elma was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her husband, Allen Robson; and her son, Joe Robson. Elma is survived by a circle of friends and caregivers, Robert E. and Pat Ford, Bill and Pat Hicks, Barbara and Jerry Ware, Connie Pitts, Enloe Baumert, Maria and Zinni Rhazzi, Nancy Cool and Maria Bogdan. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mike Smith, pastor, officiating and the Rev. Mary Wright, First Presbyterian Church, assisting. Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca City. Arrangements are made under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory. Those serving as casket bearers will be Enloe Baumert, Bob Ford, Bill Hicks, Jerry Ware, John Cool, Gary Cochran, Zinni Rhazzi, and Harold Younger. Memorial contributions may be made to the music department of First United Methodist Church, 200 South Sixth, Ponca City, Okla. 74601 or Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.