Mary Allyn

Mary Allyn, 99, died Friday, September 23, 2016 in Abilene, Texas. Born in Tuscola, Taylor County, Texas on February 14, 1917, Mary was the daughter of Ruby May (Edwards) and Elmo Stephen Jones. Her grandfather, Ben F. Jones was the sheriff of Dallas County from 1878-1880. Ben F. Jones and wife Eliza May Jones moved to Buffalo Gap in 1885 and bought the ranch west of Tuscola in 1887. Mary married Fred Allyn on December 26, 1940 in Albany, Texas. They lived in Amarillo and in Roby prior to moving to the family ranch where she lived for 61 years. Mary began teaching at Wingate school in 1937. She taught for 23 years, the majority of which was in the Jim Ned School District. She retired in 1977. Mary was a member of Abilene Retired Teachers Association and several local Bridge clubs. She was a longtime member of Tuscola United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred Ezra Allyn (1996); one daughter, Pat Allyn McMahon (1987); and one brother, Mac Elmo Jones. Mary is survived by a son, Frank Allyn of Tuscola; a daughter, Becky Poindexter and husband Don of Abilene; and two sisters, Claire Watson of Saginaw, Texas and Madie Newman of Abilene. Survivors also include seven grandchildren, Monte McMahon, Miste Kennedy, Eddy Allyn, Kaylee Shackleford, Lyndee Cox, Trent Poindexter and Tricia Poindexter; and ten great-grandchildren, Saegan Allyn, Landry Allyn, Nick Allyn, Matthew Shackleford, Garrett Beard, Avery Cox, Zane McMahon, Nathan McMahon, Daniel McMahon, and Isaac Poindexter. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday, September 25, in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Rev. Jeff Hatcher officiating. Burial will follow in Tuscola Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Monte McMahon, Eddy Allyn, Trent Poindexter, Keith Shackleford, Bill Newman and Brandon Kennedy. The family expresses their heart-felt appreciation to Mary's caregivers, Bonnie Henington, Carla Qualley, and Dena Ashcraft. Memorials may be given to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605, or the donor's favorite charity.