A memorial service for Durant Lady Lions basketball head coach Will Robinson and his daughter Clara was held last Saturday at the Durant High School Gym.
According to the Sherman Police Department, Robinson and his wife Kristen, along with their four children, were traveling to McKinney Christmas Eve morning in heavy rain when their vehicle departed Highway 75 near Taylor Street and became trapped in a drainage ditch.
The vehicle traveled down the creek where the mother and three children were rescued by the Sherman Fire Department. While attempting to save his eight-year-old daughter Clara, Robinson was swept away in the rapidly moving water and died before being located by rescue teams a mile and a half downstream.
The Robinson family requested privacy and that the media not attend the memorial service.
As of press time this week, first responders and volunteers were still searching for Clara, who was a student at George Washington Elementary School. Local diver Brady Baskin is among those who have been assisting in the search.
“My wife is Clara’s teacher, so this is really personal and hit home and I’m trying my hardest,” Baskin said, in a social media post on Dec. 27.
In another post, Baskin said he did not want “undeserved praise.”
“I appreciate it but I want to remind everyone, I’m only being obedient to what God has called me to do,” Baskin said. “Some people lead Bible studies, some serve in their church or in other ways. This is just a way for me to glorify God with my talents, skills and abilities.”
He also spoke of how amazing and passionate the volunteers are and the City of Sherman.
“And even though we have not obtained success, we must still keep hope to find Clara but be content with realizing we don’t understand everything and God is good all the time,” Baskin said.
Classes began Monday in the Durant School District and in a social media post, George Washington Elementary Principal Valerie Crabtree thanked everyone who sent snacks, texts, calls, food, Kleenex and more to the school.
“Your prayers and concern have been overwhelming and are so appreciated,” Crabtree said. “We also want to thank our counselors and many volunteers. A very special thanks to our PSO parents, Durant Church of Christ, and our friends at Northwest Heights.”
On Dec. 27, a prayer vigil at Market Square at the Christmas tree was held for the Robinson family.
Lisa Jensen, along with others in the community, helped organize the prayer vigil that was attended by many people, including Robinson’s oldest son, Carson Robinson.
“I just decided we might as well just actually gather together and say a huge prayer for the Robinsons and another blessing, our tree is lit tonight,” Jensen said.
Dani Mackey spoke and also presented a prayer during the vigil. She said we do not grieve as those without hope.
“I did not know Will but because of all of your testimonies of him, because I know Jesus, I feel like I know Will, and because of the way that he lived, I believe a lot of kids know Jesus because of him and because of his family, and we just pray comfort over you,” Mackey said.
When it was announced that Carson was on his way, everyone stood in silence until he arrived and Mackey then delivered the prayer.
“Father, we come boldly before your throne,” Mackey said. “Thank you for your faithfulness and your goodness. We praise you in the midst of this storm because you are good, Father. Lord, you are not the author of death, but of life.”
She said we grieve knowing our King Jesus will return for his bride and all of the saints who have gone before us will be resurrected.
“Help us also to be a people who stand faithfully on your character. It is not your faithfulness that is on trial, but ours. Through all this, we say, you are good. You are faithful, Father. You are the giver of life, Father. You are love and your love never fails. It never ends and never changes.”
Mackey spoke of the search for Clara.
“We speak blessings over Brady Baskin and the entire team of people searching for Clara,” she said. “Light up the path to her for them, Father. You used a star to guide the shepherds, so use whatever you see fit to guide this team of incredible and courageous hearts. Thank you for never leaving Kristen or the kids. Thank you for being Emmanuel, through your Holy Spirit — the Great Comforter.”
“Thank you for each business and individual who has already sown and will sow into this family. This family is good ground to sow into — pure and loving hearts.”
The vigil concluded with everyone singing “Amazing Grace” and also chanting that, “The family that prays together.”
In an update on the search Tuesday morning, the Sherman Police Department said, “We officially started the third week of searching for Clara. Search teams from Sherman Fire-Rescue and the Sherman Police Department were deployed to continue searching this morning.
“Our search efforts are still being assisted by the Texas Department of Corrections K9 teams and the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office. As we’ve mentioned several times, the list of agencies/entities who have assisted us so far is incredibly lengthy and we remain exceedingly grateful. Our plan today is the same as the past few days, combing through piles of debris.
“We have search crews lined up all this week. We are keeping an eye on the inclement weather in the forecast and are simply taking things one day at a time.”
The post concluded with the hashtag, “We’re Still Here Clara.”
