Darlene Labay Allen, 93, of Bible Grove died Friday, July 20, 2018 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.
She was born the daughter of Casper Paul and Wanda (Davis) Smith on March 17, 1925 in Wapello County, Iowa – east of Ottumwa in the Eldon/Blakesburg area. She lived on different farms in Southeast Iowa, which provided many rural experiences, including caring for livestock, gardening, helping raise her 9 younger brothers and sisters, showing cattle at the local 4-H, sewing, cooking, canning, and learning the values of hard work.
She married Harvey Allen, Jr. on October 12, 1943 before he left to fight on the Pacific Front. Darlene moved to Des Moines to live with her cousin, Helen. She worked in a factory making tents for soldiers until Harvey returned home after the war.
The Allens moved to Wapello, Iowa. A daughter, Amanda Jean, was born in 1947 and a son, Richard Fern, in 1949. The family moved to Bible Grove in 1950. Darlene worked on the farm was a stay at home mother until her children moved away. She then worked the nightshift at Hollisters in Kirksville, making medical supplies. She worked there several years, before retiring and continuing farming.
Darlene belonged to the Bible Grove Historical Preservation Society, the Scotland County Historical Society, the Bar-B-Rider (Saddle Club), the Rebecca Lodge and was an OATS Bus Member.
She was independent, ornery and proud of it. Darlene loved traveling and visiting family and friends. She treasured all of her dogs and being the life of the party. Darlene was a kid at heart, enjoyed playing with children, watching cartoons and was known as “Granny” to all.
She was preceded in death her son, Richard Fern Allen; grandson, Travis Boyd Bissell; parents: Wanda Davis Smith Shoemaker and Casper Paul Smith; sisters: Twalla, Ruth and Bonnie; brothers: Leo, Paul and Lorvalle.
She was survived by her daughter: Jeanie (Boyd) Bissell of Memphis; Amber Allen (Tony); great grandsons: Marcus Jenkins and Madax Julian; great-great grandchildren: Muriyah, Taeghynn and Hoyt; sisters: Donna and Maxine; brother: Morris; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
7 comments
Our thoughts & prayers are with your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jeannie and Boyd Bissell in their time of loss. May God bless and comfort you all.
So sorry for your loss, Jeannie and Boyd. I was glad to have met her.
Jeannie & Boyd, Sorry for your loss. She was a Bible Grove legend. As Harvey says “Now we are the older generation”. May you find comfort at this time of your loss. Thinking of you.
Sorry for your loss,we was good friends to Rick Allen we visited Darelenes after sold are 2 femake&1baby bull to Rick we went see how the cows was doing.
Sending love, thoughts and prayers your way. We are so sorry for your loss. Aunt Darlene, you will be so greatly missed. Thank you for your wonderful example of living life to it’s very fullest. I can just imagine your happy reunion with all the family that has gone before you. We love you.
Thinking of you at this sad time in your life. How great she enjoyed 93 years. Wishing you peace.
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