Ruth Evlyn Allen

Ruth Evlyn Allen, 97, graduated to heaven on January 31, 2019. Her steady belief in God was her daily Rock. Evlyn was blessed with a loving family, born September 2nd, 1921 in Ovalo, TX to Charlie William and Nora Drucilla (Floyd) Barnard. She was the widow of W. L. “Dub” Allen, to whom she was happily married for 66 years. Evlyn and Dub were loving parents of daughter, Joyce Marie Allen McGlaun.

The most defining event of Evlyn’s life was her marriage to Dub on December 5, 1942 at First Baptist Church, El Paso, TX. Seven days later, Dub was deployed overseas with the U.S. Army. They wrote often and Evlyn saved every letter. They reunited 3 years later and never separated until his death in 2008. They lived simply, but fully, and were the model of devotion to each other and service to others, volunteering in their church and the community well into retirement years.

Evlyn was a farmer’s daughter and devoted sister. She played on the basketball team at Happy and Canyon High Schools, and was an avid sports fan her entire life. She was a loyal and lifelong friend to many, collecting friends that, over time, became like family, Ronnie Newton and George Willis among them.  As a champion letter writer, her family and friends enjoyed weekly letters. Letters routinely addressed to beloved stuffed animals delighted her great-grandtwins.

A Godly woman, Evlyn was steadfast, loyal, and held deep compassion for others, particularly those less fortunate than her. She lived a life of service to her family and friends. AISD food service employed her for 12 years at Austin Elementary School, but she served with food her entire life. She often expressed her love for others through her gift for baking, making thousands of loaves of her legendary bread (affectionately named “Nannie Bread” by her granddaughters) for grateful recipients.  

Evlyn was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, C.W. Barnard, Jr, and Billy Max Barnard, and her beloved husband Dub. She is survived by her daughter Joyce and son-in-law Monte; four granddaughters, Christel Snelson, Becky Wilsford, Joy Varrone, and Kathleen McGlaun; grandsons-in-law James Snelson, Michael Wilsford, and Michael Varrone; and seven great-grandchildren; Mary Elizabeth and Ruby Snelson, Jonah, Grace, and Evlyn Wilsford, Sebastian and Beatrix Varrone.

Evlyn’s family is grateful for the many friends who loved her well the past 15 months, especially those at Bright Pointe at Lytle Lake and Hendrick Hospice.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2, in Elmwood Memorial Park followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, officiated by Bro. Ronnie Newton.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Methodist Service Center Food Pantry, 2618 N 1st St, Abilene, TX 79603,  or Meals on Wheels Plus at 710 North 10th St, Abilene, TX 79601.