Who was Winona M. Allen? She was born on December 16, 1932 in Sulphur, Oklahoma to Duel Oxley and Laura Davis Oxley. She was the oldest of six sisters! She is the first of the sisters to go and be with the Lord. She is survived by Corene Sharp, Oweda Choate, Wilda Norris, Lana "Lucky" Burgess, and Dusty Culpepper. She was also preceded in death by her dad and mother. Her husband of 51 years, Orgie M. Allen passed away in 1999. Her oldest son, Orgie D. Allen died in 1999 also.

Her greatest joy was playing the piano for her church and being with her family, both immediate and extended. She loved going to the annual family reunion.

All the time growing up, we fell asleep with her playing the piano and were usually awakened by her playing the piano early in the morning. She was never really into doing a lot of cooking, but she made sure that we always had something to eat. Some of the favorite meals that she would cook were meatloaf and salmon patties. We called them "salmon patties," but they really were mackerel patties because we couldn't afford salmon. On most Saturdays, mom would make a full breakfast. Most of the time, breakfast would be scrambled eggs and sausage. We never had to worry about the sausage making us sick by being under cooked because mom would always make sure that it was well done. My dad would frequently joke that we were the most religious family in the area because we had burnt offerings on a regular basis. Mom didn't laugh, but we boys always thought it was funny.

Frequently, mom would make toast in the morning. I remember one morning mom went to make toast and there were two snakes in the stove. She slammed the oven door shut and turned knob until it was lit on high. Then she called dad to come and get the snakes out of the oven. By the time dad got there those snakes were nice and crispy. I don't think she ever used that oven drawer again from that point on!

Without question, my brothers and I had a wonderful mother and a wonderful father. They both set a standard and expected us to live up to it and always helped us all along the way. We felt like we grew up like Huckleberry Finn and got to experience a lot of things. Even though we really didn't have much money, my dad made sure that we explored the state of Oklahoma from beginning to end.

One thing about my family, there was always something to laugh about and we seem to laugh a lot. We had a lot of joy and I believe that was because we had a great mom and dad! They neither one were perfect, but they had good values and both loved the Lord dearly! I believe that George and I received a large helping of their spirit. They left a great legacy that George and I are proud to call them our parents.

Mom grew up in Mill Creek with her mother and sisters. My mom and dad met after my dad returned from the Army after serving during World War II. They were married in December 1948.

My dad was the school teacher just like his father. After mom and dad married, just one year later in November 1949, they welcomed their first born son, Orgie Dewayne Allen. The birth of their second son, George and third son, Henry, followed at regular intervals thereafter. Dad was one of those that seem to get itchy feet and we would move from school to school about every four years. We probably spent the longest period of time when we lived at Woodland, Oklahoma. One of the last schools that dad taught at was Sweetwater, Oklahoma. It was here that mom finally got her GED and went to college at Sayre Junior College and received an Associate degree. She was so happy and really applied herself to the piano.

She continued to play the piano at almost every church that we attended and spent the last 40 years playing the piano at Britton Road Baptist Church. In her latter years, she began to lord her eye sight from macular degeneration and was no longer able to play the piano, but still loved music.

Mom and dad's greatest enjoyment came when they were on vacation with Hoot and Wilda almost every year and sometime even multiple times a year! I believe when we were growing up we spent almost as much time at Hoot and Wilda's as we did our own home!

Mom is survived by her:

Five Sisters: Corene Sharp of Oklahoma City; Oweda Choate of Sulphur, Oklahoma; Wilda Norris of Oklahoma City; Lana Burgess of Oklahoma City; and Dusty and husband, Roddy Culpepper of Oklahoma City;

Two Sons: Henry M. Allen of Oklahoma and George M. Allen and wife, Vonnie of Fort Worth, Texas;

Three Grandson: Christopher D. Allen and wife, Erin Allen, DO of Oklahoma City; Jeremy R. Allen and wife, Susan Allen of Yukon, Oklahoma; and Joshua Allen and Alexa Mendez of Dallas, Texas;

Four Great Grandchildren: Caden Allen, Colin Allen, Chloie Treatt and Nadia Allen.

Mom could easily claim the following verse:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV

I also believe that when she enters Heaven's gate that she heard her Savior say:

"Well done, my good and faithful servant…" Luke 19:17 NIV