Bessie Malvina Allen

Bessie M. Allen departed this life to be with our Lord on April 14, 2018. There will be a memorial service and reception for the public at Bunavista Baptist Church, 2 Amaryllis Street, Borger, TX 79007, on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at 10:00 AM. Directions to the church can be found on the church website at http://bunavistabc.com. All those who knew Bessie are encouraged to attend. Bessie will be interred at Memory Gardens of Pampa, Texas; a private graveside service for immediate family only.


Bessie was born October 14, 1918, to Percy J. Gheen and Mary A. Gheen, in La Kemp, Beaver County, Oklahoma. She went to school, 1st through 12th years in Booker, Texas. She attended Mary Hardin Baylor for her first year of college; then finished her Bachelor of Arts degree at Texas State College for Women (now TWU) with a major in English and minor in Bible in 1939. Later in life, she attended West Texas State University obtaining a Masters in 1970, majoring in organ. Bessie married Edgar C. Allen, August 29, 1940, and was married to him until his death in 1981. Bessie and Edgar moved to Phillips, Texas, in 1941. She played the piano and organ at the First Baptist Church in Borger, Texas, for many years; then later she played the organ for Faith Covenant Church of Borger. In later life, she moved her church membership to the First Methodist Church of Borger. Music and the church were her life. She taught private lessons until the age of 85. She also taught music at Frank Phillips Jr. College. She taught many students in the panhandle over her lifetime.
Bessie was lovingly cared for at the Park Central Senior Living Communities in Amarillo, Texas, specifically, The Harrington, and the Ware Living Center, as well as the Hospice Care of the Southwest. The family wishes to convey their thanks for all of those who gave Bessie such wonderful care, with special appreciation to her granddaughter, Michele Calhoun, for her continual loving care and assistance during the last few years.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; her two sisters, Melba McLain and Nelda Northern, and her husband, Edgar of 40 years.

She is survived by her two sons, Stanley Allen and wife, Leslie of San Antonio, Texas, and Stephen Allen and wife, Rina of Kopperl, Texas. She leaves six grandchildren, Shane Allen (Beth), Michele Calhoun (Allen), Julie Zevecke (Michael) and Forrest Blagg (Vicky), Anthony “Tony” Lanagan and David Todd Bishop (Heather). She leaves 17 great grandchildren and15 great-great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lamplighter Ministries at 13773 FM 56 Kopperl, Texas 76652 or the charity of choice.