Dates
Vena Belle Allen went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the age of 93 years.
Vena Belle was born on October 17, 1930, in Miles, Texas. She was one of six children. She married the love of her life, Jess L. Allen, Jr on June 25, 1949, in Miles, Texas. On one of their first dates, he took her to the "picture show" on a tractor. They were married for 74 years.
Vena Belle worked at the telephone office in Big Lake, Texas while Jess served in the Korean war. During that time, they were living at the old School House at Stiles, Texas. Later they moved to the farm north of Stiles where they lived until moving to Mertzon, Texas in December of 2011.
While living on the farm Vena Belle was a homemaker. She and Jess raised their four children, Johnny, Linda, Lonnie and Kim, there in that sweet little farmhouse. That is where she taught them all about the love of Jesus. She loved to cook, and she could cook a meal for a huge crowd with little notice. She made the absolute best homemade rolls you could ever imagine. Her talent for cooking and preparing a big meal at the drop of a hat was a blessing to her family and friends for years. She loved having a house full of people.
She loved the Community Baptist Church where her and Jess attended Sunday services. They were founding members of that little church and served there for years. She enjoyed cleaning the church and making sure the grass was always mowed. She spent hours making sure that little church was well kept, inside and out. She also loved to work outside in her own yard. When she was ninety plus years old, she was still trying to get someone, anyone, to help her go buy a new lawnmower.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jess; her parents, Harry Ables and Zeither Ables; three brothers, Bucky Ables, Milburn "Pib" Ables and M.W. (Wayne) Ables, two sisters, Claudia Mae Ledbetter and Wilma Arceneaux and her son-in-law, John Sanders.
She is survived by her two sons and two daughters, Johnny Allen, and wife Correne of Blackwell, Texas; Linda Matthews and husband Jimmy of Big Lake, Texas; Lonnie Allen and wife Carole of Blackwell, Texas; and Kim Sanders of Shallowater, Texas. One of her favorite titles was "Mee-Maw." She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren with every part of her heart. They were the light of her day, and she loved every minute she spent with them. She rarely used the word "no" when it came to those precious grandkids. From unlimited milkshakes to hours of fishing, painting, and learning to drive, she made every moment with them special. She loved that Rylin, one of her great granddaughters would share with her the same middle name. Her nine grandchildren include; Brandon Allen and wife Brittany of Midland, Texas, Michael Matthews and wife Natalie of Mertzon, Texas, Jill Fortenberry and husband Michael of Big Lake, Texas, Julie Sosa and husband Claudio also of Big Lake, Texas, Jennifer Furr and husband Ethan of Kent, Texas, Wade Allen and wife Shelby of Big Spring, Texas, John Wesley Sanders and wife Marisa of Brownfield, Texas, and Zy and Julian Sanders both of Shallowater, Texas; and 15 precious great-grandchildren, Jaxton and Landry Allen, Ally and Macy Matthews, Jentry Fortenberry, Allison, Josh, Brazos and Avery Sosa and Alex Robertson, Rylin "Belle", Whitley and Waylon Furr, Weston Sanders and Charlye Ann Allen. She is also survived by her two sisters in laws, Wanda Jo Ables of Denver City, Texas and Shirley Bruton and brother-in-law, Bert Bruton of San Angelo, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Pallbearers include her grandsons, Brandon Allen, Michael Matthews, John Wesley Sanders, Wade Allen, Zy Sanders and Julian Sanders.
Honorary Pallbearers include her grandson-in-laws, Michael Fortenberry, Claudio Sosa, and Ethan Furr. Additional Honorary Pallbearers will be Joel Ham, Juan Barajas, Bubba Akin, Larry Asbury, Joe Phillips, and Eddie Joe Morton.
A visitation will be held at The First Baptist Church in Big Lake, Texas on Wednesday, May 29th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The funeral service will be on Thursday, May 30th at 1O a.m. also at the First Baptist Church with burial immediately following at the Stiles Cemetery. Family and friends can sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com
The family wishes to thank the staff of The Reagan County Care Center for their tremendous outpouring of love and care for our Mom and Mee-Maw during her time there. She loved her sweet caretakers, and they loved her just the same.
Memorials may be sent to the West Texas Boys Ranch and Sonrisas of San Angelo, Texas or to Care Friends, 1009 Virginia Circle, Big Lake, Texas 76932