Tommie Vonne Allen

Tommie Allen, age 82, passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2018 in her home.  Tommie was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Cecil Leroy Allen, Retired Colonel US Army Reserves.  Mrs. Allen was born May 2, 1936 to Troy (Tony) and Lucile Grubbs of Abilene. She attended Wylie High School where she met her husband as a freshman and began their lifelong love affair, marrying upon their high school graduation on June 3, 1954.  She was a member of Highland Church of Christ and a devout Christian.  Tommie attended Abilene Christian College, Sam Houston State University and University of Texas at Austin, receiving her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education. Tommie’s teaching career of more than thirty-five years was in the Abilene School District.  She was a true goals setter.  She worked hard and relentless in pursuit of reaching her professional and personal goals.  Tommie began her educational administration duties with the AISD as the Coordinator for the Gifted and Talented program, then took the administrator responsibilities for the AISD Alternative Education School before moving to become Elementary Principal to two AISD schools.  Upon retirement, she and Cecil moved to Possum Kingdom Lake to live their dream of full time lake life.  Throughout their early marriage, Cecil would leave Abilene on Thursday to find the prime camping location at PK State Park for a weekend on the lake with the family.  After finally purchasing a lake cabin, one of four over the years, every available weekend was spent with the family on PK Lake.  Tommie shared her love of the lake by hosting friends, co-workers, and family reunions at the lake.  She often would challenge her students to achieve with a promise of skiing on New Year’s Day if they achieved benchmarks on testing, even into her Seventies.

Tommie was stricken with Alzheimer’s Disease and was cared for by Cecil until his passing in January 2017, and by her caregiver Sherri Thedford for the past six years. Sherri lived in the home to care for Tommie for the past five years. The friendship she and Sherri began during the early stages of her disease, the family feels, kept her comfortable over the past few years.  The family is so grateful for the kindness and care Sherri gave to Tommie.

Tommie is survived by son, Lee Allen and wife Doris; daughters, Toni and husband Matt Tarpley, and Carrie and husband Clay Burt; brother, Don Grubbs; six grandchildren, Maci Raney, Lana Payne, Kristy Fitzwater, Dr. Troy Tarpley, Kristen Saylers, and Ashley Williams; as well as seven great grandchildren.

Visitation will be at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene on Sunday, July 15, 2018 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM.  Funeral service will be 12:30 PM Monday, July 16, 2018 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow at 2:00 PM in Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene.