Irene N. Allen

A funeral service for Irene N. Allen, age 84, of Rusk was held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Salem Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Tommy Mabry officiating. Burial followed at Parker Cemetery.

Ms. Allen passed away February 18, 2019 in Tyler, TX. She was born December 6, 1934 in Jenks, Oklahoma to the late Harry and Biddie Johnson Newman.

Ms. Allen was a lifelong resident of Rusk and was retired from Rusk State Hospital with 30 years of service. She was a member of Salem Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed her grandkids, going to church and watching cooking shows.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Ethel Smith and Wanda Burke, one brother, Troy Newman, son-in-law, Charles Wilkes.

She is survived by the father of her children, Bobby Allen of Rusk, son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Betty Allen of Rusk, daughter, Debbie Wilkes of Rusk, grandchildren, Deana Rasberry and husband Kyle of Rusk, Crystal Lofton and husband Cobey of Rusk, Kayla Branton and husband Matt of Rusk, Shad Bowman of Rusk, twelve great grandchildren all of Rusk, several step-great grandchildren of Houston, TX and one of Jacksonville, TX, two brothers, Dean and Candy Newman of Grapeland, TX, Jimmy and Jackie Newman of Palestine, TX, three sisters, Bonnie and Bob Jones of Houston, Betty and Harold Dow of Denson Springs, TX, Helen and Bob Lick of Grapeland, several nieces, nephews and lots of friends and her church family.

Pallbearers included Shad Bowman, Kyle Rasberry, Cobey Lofton, Coy Brown, Eli Branton and Zane Lofton. Honorary pallbearers were Matt Branton, Kody Rasberry, Kasey Rasberry, Jaydin Lofton, Jerimiah Branton and Brandon Branton. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Salem Missionary Baptist Church.