Sandra Joan ('Jodie') Robards

April 9, 1942 — December 14, 2019

Jodie Robards, 77, died at her Brownsburg, Indiana home the morning of Saturday, December 14, 2019.  Jodie was born to David M. Morrow and Mariam (Morris) Morrow in Speedway, Indiana on April 9, 1942.

She is a 1960 graduate of Speedway High School and attended Indiana State University studying Physical Education while being a member of the university's synchronized swimming team.

Jodie married John Edward Robards on March 21, 1970.  They celebrated their 49 ^th wedding anniversary in 2019.  Together, they operated their own equine facility, Rafter R Farm, located on the south side of Brownsburg, offering horse boarding, training, riding lessons, stallion services and the like.

Jodie was a dedicated bus driver for the Brownsburg Community School Corporation for 47 years.  She never retired from her job and drove her bus routes the day prior to her death.

Jodie competed in horse shows over many decades, including ISHA, PHBA, and AQHA.  Although there were many horses in Jodie's life, a few of her favorites included Richard's Pride, Starry Jake, The Daybreaker ('Hondo'), Madelyn Mac ('Georgie'), Terry's Love ('Extra'), and Tags Wildcard Man ('Walter').  Jodie enjoyed riding hunt seat and western, as well as showing in the pleasure driving classes.  She earned awards across the country, including AQHA All-Around trophies at the Florida Gold Coast Circuit and the Florida Gulf Coast Circuit.  She also brought home an array of High-Point Year-End Champion titles from the Indiana Quarter Horse Association award banquets.  Further, she placed in various classes at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA World Championship Show.

Jodie served as the Secretary of the Indiana State Fair Western Horse Show for 9 years; an event that was listed second in size only to the All-American Quarter Horse Congress.  She was also a member of the Indiana Quarter Horse Association's Board of Directors for nearly a decade while serving as Chairperson of various committees and being instrumental in the creation of the Indiana Quarter Horse Amateur Association.

Jodie was an enthusiastically loyal fan of country music singer, George Strait.  She and John traveled to many locations across the United States to attend his concerts, the last of which was to enjoy his show in Las Vegas the weekend prior to her death.

Jodie was predeceased by her parents and her brother, David Morrow.  Survivors include her husband, John; a niece, Leigh Ann Combs; a nephew, David Morrow; a great-niece; a great nephew; and her beloved dog, Ben, who stayed by her side to the end of her life.

Visitations will be at Matthews Mortuary, located at 690 E. 56th St. in Brownsburg, Indiana, on Thursday, December 19th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Jodie's funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, December 20th.  Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, 9350 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, Indiana.

Memorial contributions in Jodie's name can be made to the 'Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund' via their web site: https://www.JustinCowboyCrisisFund.org/ or by mail at: 101 Pro Rodeo Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80919

One of Jodie's favorite quotes was by Helen Keller:

"The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart."