Maedell Robinson

Maedell Sparrow Robinson, 90, Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and Friend passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Chateau Living Center in Kenner, LA. A longtime resident of New Orleans, LA and a native of New Iberia, LA, Maedell Maedell was the second child born to the union of Roland and Eva Malveaux Sparrow on July 17, 1935. As a child, Maedell attended St. Edward Catholic Church and graduated from St. Edward School in 1953. Her desire to help those in need led her to New Orleans, where she attended nursing school at Charity Hospital after attending Xavier University for a few years. Upon completing instruction, she cared for young patients at Children’s Hospital and through private duty nursing. Maedell was joined in marriage to the late Willie Robinson, a native of Summit, Mississippi. To this union, they were blessed with three children, Sharon, Bryan and Julie. Raised in a household rooted in faith, Maedell was a devout Catholic. She took great pride in serving St. Rita Catholic Church as a RCIA teacher and eucharistic minister where she was a parishioner for over 56 years. Her devotion to her faith and service led to her receiving the Order of St. Louis IX Medallion from the Archdiocese of New Orleans. This honor is bestowed upon laypersons who have devoted themselves to the work of the Catholic Church. Maedell was also a member of the Associates of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament founded by St. Katherine Drexel. Maedell leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Sharon Blair and husband Craig, Sr. of New Orleans, LA, Julie Powell of Washington, D.C. and Bryan Robinson and wife Gwen of New Orleans, LA; one brother, Roland J. Sparrow, Jr. of Opelousas, LA; nine grandchildren, Ashley Blair-Lee and husband, Michael, Krysten Blair, Craig Blair, Jr. and Rachel, Jaime Blair, all of New Orleans, LA, Kayla Powell and Natalie Powell, both of Washington, D.C., Brynisha Robinson of New Orleans, LA, Bryan W. Robinson, and Brandon Robinson of New Orleans, LA; two great-grandchildren, Madisyn Lee and Brooklyn Blair, both of New Orleans, LA; one sister-in-law, Lenette Sparrow of New Orleans, LA and one brother-in-law, Richard A. Landry of New Iberia, LA and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Robinson; her parents, Eva and Roland Sparrow; three sisters, Dorothy Sparrow, Verna Jones and Rita Faye Landry; three brothers, Allen Sparrow, Jerome Sparrow, and Michael Sparrow, and her son-in-law, James Powell. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend A Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at St. Rita Catholic Church, 2729 Lowerline St. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until Mass. Interment: St. Louis No. 3 Cemetery. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to share online condolences.