Lela Pauline Gregg Allen was born on April 23, 1931 in Hackleberry, Alabama in Marion county. She was the 10th of 12 children.
On Sept. 10, 1949, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Clyde Thomas “Sonny” Allen, in Piggott, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on July 28, 2021.
To this union, two children were born, Paula Sue Allen, who married Jerry Pearson of Risco and Thomas Richard “Dicky” Allen, who was fatally injured at Noranda Aluminum in Marston, Missouri on Friday the thirteenth of May 1977.
She is also survived by her 3 grandchildren, Micheal Lynn Pearson and Lucretia (Mask) Pearson of Malden; Gregg Allen Pearson of Risco, Missouri and Jason Thomas Allen of Cincinnati, Ohio; 3 great grandchildren, Kayla LeeAnn Pearson of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Graham Allen and Meagan Allen Garner both of Jackson, Missouri and 1 great great grandchild, Ella Rose Mannes of Poplar Bluff; 1 sister, Ruby Gregg Berry-Dillon and husband Art of Florida; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar Hoyt Gregg, Sr. and Mary Evelyn Armstrong Gregg; 5 brothers, Oscar Hayes Gregg, Elmon Lucian Gregg, Stanley Thomas Gregg and Edgar Hoyt Gregg, Jr.; 6 sisters, Modena Gregg Burleson, Dessa Gregg Arnold, Esther Gregg, Ann Gregg Burleson, Myrtle Gregg Pitts and Eva Lou Gregg Smothers,.
Pauline was an elementary secretary at Risco School for 26.5 years. While there, she acted as the Public Relations person between the school and community, was a pep club and cheerleader sponsor, a Cub Scout den mother, 4-H leader and an avid sports fan before her retirement in January 1988.
After retiring, she took up oil painting and became an enthusiastic quilter, having won several blue ribbons on her quilt exhibits.
Pauline was a member of the Bernie Church of Christ and the Risco Alumni Association.