Biography: Judge Elsijane Trimble Roy of Little Rock went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, January 23, 2007. Judge Roy was born in Lonoke, Arkansas, April 2, 1916 to Judge Thomas Clark and Elsie Walls Trimble. She is survived by her son, Jim Roy and wife Bea of Springdale; two grandchildren, Allyson Roy Patrick and husband Ashley of Fayetteville, Tommy Roy and wife Christa of Springdale; four great grandchildren; a brother, Walls Trimble of Little Rock; a sister Sue Measel of Birmingham, Alabama; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother Thomas Trimble; and a sister Molly Verser. Judge Roy was Arkansas’ lady of many firsts. She decided in the fourth grade that she would be a lawyer. She graduated in 1934 from Lonoke High School where she was valedictorian. She attended the University of Arkansas Law School and she was the only female to graduate in the class of 1939. She practiced law in private and public sectors in Lonoke, Little Rock and Blytheville. In 1966 she was appointed Arkansas' first woman circuit judge. In 1975 she was appointed Arkansas' first woman Supreme Court Justice and in 1977 she was appointed Arkansas' first woman Federal Judge and the first woman appointed in the 8th Circuit. She was also the first woman to follow her father as federal judge and presided in the same courtroom where her father had served for 20 years. She retired in 1999 after 21 years on the federal bench. Judge Roy has received many awards and honors including being selected Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Woman's Club in 1969, Arkansas Democrat Woman of the Year in 1976, an honor that her mother also received, and Outstanding Appellate Judge of 1976-1977 by the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. Judge Roy loved sports and starred in basketball for four years at Lonoke High School. She was the women's singles tennis champion two years at the University of Arkansas. According to many sources, she was a great football kicker and more than once the boys were heard to say "Backup, its Elsijane's turn to kick". She loved family and friends and never changed in spite of all the honors that came her way. She proudly displayed in her chambers numerous photos of her grandchildren and a sign that proclaimed her as "the world's greatest grandmother." In latter years her home was filled with photos of her great grandchildren Paxton, Mia, Ashlynn and Alex. Judge Roy gave her life to Jesus while growing up in Lonoke and was a long time member of the First Baptist Church there. She taught a women's Sunday School class while she lived in Blytheville. She always gave credit to the Lord for her many judicial appointments, saying “I have always felt I have been brought to these positions by the Lord.” Her life verse was Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2007, at Ruebel Funeral Home. A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock where she was a member. Burial will be in Lonoke Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Rev. Dr. Rex M. Horne, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers are the Federal Judges for the East and West Judicial Districts of Arkansas. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock or First Baptist Church of Lonoke. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
My family appeared before Judge Roy in 1987 and have spoke of her often and fondly since. With the passing of Justice Connor, Judge Roy has come to my mind again. After a long battle against the Federal government, we were met not only by a just judge but a compassionate warrior who valiantly took up our cause. The tears that brimmed in her eyes as she spoke with my mother have not been forgotten. She truly felt her pain. I am forever grateful.