Robert L Landers

Robert, affectionately known as R.L., was the only child born to the marriage of James B. Landers and Myrtle W. Cole. His mother would say that R.L.’s birth was the best part of her short-lived marriage. Myrtle and R.L. resided with her parents Robert “Bob” and Addie B. Miller Cole of Corydon. R. L. credited his grandfather with introducing he and his cousin, James “Jimmy” Taylor, to the Lord (they were raised together). Years later, Myrtle married Barrett Wilson Thomas of Corydon, KY.
R.L. spoke fondly of his early school years attending the Corydon Colored School, a white framed building with four classrooms that housed grades 1-8 and had a detached kitchen. He often told stories about his teachers, especially his lifelong friend Addie L. Green who “would burn you up and call you ‘darling’ all at the same time.”
R.L. became the school custodian when he graduated to the 9th grade. He and other graduates were bussed from Corydon to Henderson’s Frederick Douglass High School for Colored. During the winter months before boarding the bus R.L. made sure that all the coal bins were filled, and every fire in the potbellied stoves was started in the classrooms before the teachers and children arrived at school. He earned $50 a month for his work.
All the teachers at Douglass High School were known to him. He recounted a story about his enrollment in a Home Economics (cooking foods) class to keep from taking geometry. Louis Brown, a friend, also took the class. This was the first time that this had ever happened because the class typically was for girls. Nobody teased them. The girls got a kick out of having boys in the classroom.
While R.L. was still in high school Barrett and Myrtle moved to Muncie, IN to find better employment where R.L. attended Muncie Central High School. This was his first time in an integrated school. A year later, the family moved back to Corydon. After graduating from Douglass High School, he started working for Chrysler in Evansville, IN. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the US Army and was stationed at Ft. Knox, KY. It was at this time that he introduced himself to his two Louisville (KY) younger sisters from his father’s second marriage. This began a loving relationship lasting throughout his lifetime. He next was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. and then shipped to Leeheim, Germany for 3 years.
After being discharged from the Army he returned to Corydon and again worked for Chrysler. When Chrysler auto makers moved to its newly built location in St. Louis, Missouri, R. L. moved with the plant.
In 1964 he confessed his belief in Jesus Christ and was baptized by Rev. George Sebree, pastor of First Baptist Church of Meacham Park of St. Louis. He became a deacon serving 17 years. He also served as a Sunday School teacher and youth director. He met and married Joan Hannah of Kirkwood, MO and to their union was born, Lisa Joann Landers.
R.L. attended Missouri Baptist College and then went to Western Baptist College (St. Louis, MO) where he earned an Associate Degree. He took courses at the Moody Bible College and for 31/2 years attended St. Louis Christian College and was three or four courses short of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in theology when he made the decision to return to Corydon to help his ailing mother. He had already retired from Chrysler after 30 years of service.
Robert joined First Missionary Baptist Church of Henderson where he has served in many positions including as a deacon since 1983. He also worked part-time as a gravedigger for Draper & Haydon Construction Company in Corydon learning many skills that would later help him. In 1984 he started volunteering with the United Brothers of Friendship (UBF) Joel Lodge #84 Cemetery Committee, INC. of Corydon, KY. This group is dedicated to preserving the cemetery where many of their relatives (including R.L.'s) are buried. R.L. has held various position with the group. His greatest wish is that the cemetery would be well taken care of for a lifetime.
In 1986, he was elected to the Corydon City Council as a commissioner, and he also served on the Corydon Human Rights Commission.
He worked at the Earle C. Clements Job Corps in Morganfield, KY in recreation for 24 years before retirement. On Sundays, he would drive a busload of students to First Missionary Baptist Church where many gave their life to Jesus Christ. This brought him great joy.
If asked he would say, “I’ve had a good life in the Lord. I can’t complain because the Lord has been good to me.” Working with young people in churches and at the Job Corps, helping them to learn about and accept Jesus Christ, has been a great satisfaction in his life.
One of his favorite Bible verses is from Isaiah 26:3, King James Version which reads, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” He found joy in reading or having others read Psalms 91 to him. He loved his children, Benjamin Smith, and Lisa Landers, and all of their children and grandchildren as well as the rest of his family. He greatly desired that all would love, know, follow, and live for Jesus Christ.
Even after becoming a resident of the Henderson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, he continued to witness to residents and anyone else who talked with him. He believed that it was his mission for the Lord. He never wavered in his belief in Jesus Christ nor complained about his plight in life at age 90.
Early in the morning on September 16th, he phoned his older sister and his two children to tell them of a dream that he had. He said, “I had the best dream last night. We were at church, not my church, but a church. They were passing out tracks, sermons, and songs. People were singing and happily greeting each other. I saw people; some people I knew and some I didn't know. It was a good dream! One day it will become a reality. It will all be over. I've been praising the Lord this morning!” On December 23rd he joined that singing and praising group.
Preceding him in death are his parents: Barrett W. and Myrtle Cole Thomas; and James B. Landers.
He leaves a legacy of loving the Lord and his family to be cherished by his beloved children: son, Benjamin (Kim) Smith; daughter: Lisa Landers; grandchildren: Shashonna Clarke, Ashley Fairrow, Tiffani Smith, Genzel Tennon, Alexis Landers, Aliya Landers, A’riel Landers; great-grandchildren: Shashonna Clarke, Cherries Clarke, Simone Clarke, Kyrielle Barnes, Andrew Hope, Jeremy Fairrow, Brooklyn Fairrow, Jordan Fairrow, Halston Fairrow, Christian Fairrow; sisters: Juanita L. White (Dennis) and Carolyn L. Jameson; nephews; a host of cousins; a close loving friend Sarah Posey; a number of adults who considered him as a father and his prayer line partners throughout the U.S.

Thanks is extended to the First Missionary Baptist Church and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, staff of St. Anthony Hospice of Henderson, Corydon UBF officer holders: Bonnie Hatchett, Sue Fletcher, and Sarah Posey; his neighbors: Gary and Brenda Gibson; persons who brought him food while at home and the rehabilitation center, those who phoned him and came to visit, all the medical staff members who attended him; personnel at the Field and Main Bank (North Elm Street); Henderson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center staff; Rev. Robert Esters, those who prayed, sent flowers, cards, and donations to the UBF Cemetery Committee of Corydon; pallbearers and to the Mason Brothers Audubon Chapel of Henderson. A special thanks is extended to Mrs. Sarah B. Posey for the love and tender care given to R.L. over the past ten or so years. We will miss his love, generosity, and teaching by example.

In lieu of flowers may be made to: UBF Cemetery Committee Inc in Corydon, Kentucky.