Robin Gutierrez

Robin Nanette Gutierrez, 56, of Odessa, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her home on June 4, 2021.

“Maji” bravely battled breast cancer for nearly six years, joyfully praising the Lord and living life to the fullest each day. The unending love of her family and friends, combined with her strong faith in God, gave her the ability to live out her favorite verse, Joshua 1:9, “to be strong and courageous” in every moment.

Robin was born December 20, 1964, in Alpine, Texas, and raised in Grandfalls, Texas. She graduated from Grandfalls-Royalty High School in 1983 as valedictorian, then later graduated from The University of Texas Permian Basin and began teaching in 1990.

She taught for 25 years at Reagan Elementary in Odessa, where her 4th grade classroom was an inspired space for hard work, successes big and small, laughter and fun. Her students affectionately called her “Mrs. G” as she lovingly encouraged them to develop a lifelong love of learning and to find their true purpose in life. After her diagnosis, Robin continued to teach, tutor, and write curriculum.

In 2015 she was awarded the Odessa College Honors Outstanding Educator award. Staff and students at Reagan Elementary also honored Robin in 2015 with a “Team Mrs. G” rally in support of her fight against cancer. Throughout her illness, the Permian Basin community and her care team at West Texas Oncology Center in Odessa were also instrumental in their support for her.

Robin’s home was a hub for celebrations, where she opened her doors to friends and family and treated them to many of her favorite and famous recipes. She loved a glass of Malbec and smiled joyfully as she told many a joke or story. She was proud of her children, doted on her grandchildren, and fiercely loved her husband of 15 years. Her legacy as a wife, mother, educator, and role model will continue to live on in all those who were blessed to know her.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Rudy Gutierrez, of Odessa, Texas, her son Derek Chase Rodriguez and wife Amanda, of Grand Prairie, Texas, son Tyler Yancey Rodriguez, of Odessa, Texas, daughter Gabriela Gutierrez, of Odessa, Texas, son Emanuel Dante Gutierrez, of Odessa, Texas, grandchildren Axel Gutierrez, Tahani Gutierrez, Jacob Thomas Rodriguez, her mother and father, Nan Yancey and Jim Yancey, of Granbury, Texas, her sisters Lori Fomby, of Frisco, Texas, Carol Shelton and husband Brian, of Carrollton, Texas, Jill Young and husband Chad, of Frisco, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, C.B. and Evelyn Wheeler, paternal grandparents, J.D. and Letha Yancey, her aunt Linda Schulz, and her uncle Johnny Yancey.

Pallbearers will be Emanuel Gutierrez, Jeremy Joseph, Gilbert Ramirez Jr., Gilbert Matthew Ramirez, Derek Rodriguez, and Tyler Rodriguez.

Honorary pallbearers will be Nathaniel George Weaver and Robert T. Scott.

Visitation is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 8 at Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home in Odessa. Service is at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 9 at Crossroads Church in Odessa.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.