Neoma Renshaw

It’s difficult to imagine anyone loving their farm and its animals more than she.  Now her earthly caregiving responsibilities are complete as she has returned to her Heavenly Caregiver.  Neoma Edith Renshaw, age 93 of Carmi, died Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Carmi’s Wabash Christian Retirement Center where she was a therapy patient following a brief illness.

Neoma’s mortal journey began in Plattsmouth, Nebraska on June 5, 1923 with her parents Roy Durand Wood and Charlotte May Edmonson Wood.  Following the death of her mother three years later, she lived for a time with her aunt Stella Wood Wiles.  In her youth during the Great Depression, she worked as a dishwasher at a local restaurant, a position she loved.

A move to St. Joseph, Missouri later in her youth provided several new work experiences.  At one point she accepted the position of “A Girl” where she cared for the child of a household (today that role is probably known as a nanny).  While working at a military facility in St. Joe, she met her future husband, Harold S. Robbins, who was originally from Charleston, Illinois.

Following her marriage to Harold, they moved to Carmi in 1950 where Harold accepted the position of Guidance Counselor at Carmi Township High School.  Neoma and Harold brought two children into the world: David and Bruce.  Bruce was killed at age 6 in an auto/bicycle accident.

To supplement the family income, Neoma provided typing services for Harold.  She also became an accomplished cake decorator providing artistically decorated cakes for weddings and other social occasions.

In 1965, Harold died unexpectedly and Neoma returned to full-time employment.  She worked for a time in the White County Circuit Clerk’s office and later for several years in the loan department at The National Bank (known later as Old National Bank then First Mid-Illinois).

She married Elwood Renshaw in 1974.  Following his death a few months later, Neoma became a full time farmer and the farm became the focus of her time.  She personally rebuilt nearly all the fences on the farm, sometimes with help but more often by herself.  She also designed and built a cattle corral that became a model for other cattle farmers.

At age 85, she was run over by her farm tractor which broke her left femur and cracked multiple ribs.  After two weeks in a hospital and another two weeks of therapy, she returned to the farm.

In recent years Neoma enjoyed trips with Rodger and Gail Renshaw to Long John Silver’s for fish sandwiches and the northern Kentucky Amish community for cheese.

Neoma deeply loved her family.  She is preceded in death by her parents Roy and Charlotte, husbands Harold and Elwood, son Bruce and great granddaughter Hannah Jolley.  Surviving relatives include son David (Barbara) Robbins; six grandchildren Eli (Mary) Robbins, Melissa (Brian) Jolley, Karen (John) Wunderli, Joshua (Courtney) Robbins, Heather (Brad) Hendricks and Sarah (Quinn) Allred; and 21 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi; visitation will immediately precede the funeral from 9-11 a.m. Burial will be in White County Memorial Garden in Carmi.

The family expresses their deep gratitude to all who cared for Neoma.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a contribution are invited to do so to the Ronald McDonald House (www.rmhc.org) which provides cost effective housing for families with hospitalized children.  Some of Neoma’s posterity have been blessed by the Ronald McDonald House.