Delorise Ann "Dee" Hough Allison

Delorise Ann (Dee) Hough Allison passed away peacefully on December 21, 2023 at her home in Wren Mississippi at the age of 87 with her loving family by her side. She was born in Smith County on October 3, 1936 to the late Dorothy Lorraine Little and Dueward Franklin Hough.

Dee graduated from Magee High School in 1954. She attended MSCW (now MUW) from 1954-1958 and received a BS degree in Business Education. She then received a MST in Vocational Business Education from MUW in 1974 and certification in Administration from MSU in 1985. She began her career in education as a business education teacher at Amory High School in August 1958. She met her best friend and the love of her life, Mabry Allison, Jr. in 1959, and after a very short courtship they were married on June 21, 1959. They celebrated their 64th anniversary on June 21, 2023. During her 38 year career in education, she received many, many honors and awards. She taught business education for 15 years and vocational business subjects for 13 years, and she was vocational director for 10 years. She was the first woman vocational director on the secondary level to serve a full year. She was dearly loved and respected by her students. She was lovingly referred to as “Mama Dee” by many of her students; Pooh Nanny by her husband, Bro; and Nannie by her precious grandchildren, Anna Claire and Bo Franklin.

She was advisor of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) for 24 years, and her FBLA Chapter received the State Gold Seal Outstanding Chapter Award in MS for 10 years. Her FBLA Chapter had first place state winners who competed at the National level for 12 years and had 4 national winners. She received the Outstanding FBLA Advisor of the year in 1977. She was recognized as Outstanding Business Education Teacher of the Year in High School Division in 1974 and 1977. She received honorary membership in the National Thespian Society and National Vocational Honor Society. She supervised many student teachers from MUW and MSU during her teaching career. She served as president and vice-president of the MS Business and Office Association during her teaching career. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Iota, Northeast MS Chapter 1422 Phi Delta Kappa, and Phi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma where she served as president and treasurer. She received the PDK (Phi Delta Kappa) Northeast MS Educator of the Year Award in 1985. She also received a Delta Kappa Gamma Amanda Lowther Scholarship to work toward administrative certification. She was a member of the MS Vocational Association and the MS Education Association.

She received the Amory Jaycee Outstanding Young Educator Award in 1971. She received the dedication of the Amory High School Panorama Yearbook in 1964 and 1983. After she retired in 1996, she remained very active in school and community activities. She served on the United Way Board, helped deliver Meals on Wheels, and did volunteer work pertaining to school activities. She was a chairman of the E for E (Entertainment for Education) Foundation Scholarship Committee and a member of the Program Book Committee for several years. In 1997 she and other school supporters organized an organization in Amory to help support the Amory School District enhancement activities. She named the organization QEF and served as president of the QEF (Quality Education Foundation, Inc.—non-profit organization) for approximately 25 years. She was a volunteer at Gilmore Memorial Medical Center for two years. She was a former member of the Fidelia Club, the Century Club and the Amory Musicale Club. She served as president of the Wren Water District for five years, and she was a very active member of the Wren RCDC. She was an active member and treasurer of the Wren Presbyterian Church and later Aberdeen Faith Presbyterian Church where she served as president of WIC for a number of years. She was recognized as the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 2004. She was chosen as the Amory Outstanding Citizen Recipient in 1999 and 2013. She served as Monroe County Fifth District Election Commissioner 2005-2009.

At the age of 85, the Amory Rotary Club presented her with the John Harris Fellow Award for her outstanding leadership as president of the Quality Education Foundation and her involvement in community activities supporting the Amory School District.

After her retirement in 1996, she became very involved in her family’s farming activities. She assisted her husband with fencing activities, raking hay, hauling hay and became known as “Leroy” by her farmer friends in the Wren Community. She and her husband, Mabry, received the Centennial Award presented by the Department of Agriculture in 1989 as the farm had been operated by a member of the Allison Family for 133 years. She enjoyed walking, playing bridge and bunco and being with her grandchildren, Bo and Anna Claire, who were the love of her life. She was known as “the bread lady” as she loved making sour dough bread and giving it to other people. She loved life and she loved people.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Larry Keith Hough, her in-laws, Mabry and Eva Allison and her sister-in-law, Clarian Allison.

She is survived by her husband, Mabry, of 64 years, her son Dr. Mabry Franklin Allison (Stephanie) and her adored grandchildren, Anna Claire Allison Billingsley (Jacob) and Bo Franklin Allison, all of Ocean Springs and three nieces Rene’ Craft (Thad), Erika Lauren Hough, and Suzanne Summers(Matt).

Her Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory, MS with Bro. David Harrell and Dr. Lloyd Sweatt officiating. Burial will follow in Old Union Cemetery, Wren, MS. Pallbearers will be Dr. Woodrow Brand, Gary Harper, Dunlap Catledge, Edward Hough, Rob Huddleston, and Judge Jim Pounds. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Parish, Ray Gallop, Ben Harlow, and Larry Marett.

Visitation for family and friends will be at the funeral home from 12 pm until the service hour at 2pm at the funeral home in Amory.

.Memorials may be given to the Quality Education Foundation, Inc., foundation that supports enrichment activities for the Amory School District—QEF, Inc., PO Box 662, Amory, MS 38821, St. Jude’s Hospital or the charity of your choice.