Lourie Allen

View her Video Tribute: http://videos.lifetributes.com/193723Hiram , GA – Lourie Strickland Allen, 96, died on Friday, January 28, 2011, at her residence. Born on January 12, 1915, in Kossuth, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Belle Bynum Strickland.Growing up in Belmont, she was a graduate of Blue Mountain College. Mrs. Allen taught English at Amory High School. Returning to school at the University of Alabama, she received her Master’s and Doctorate degrees. While teaching English Literature at MUW for 18 years before retiring, she served as an assistant and associate professor before becoming a full professor of English. A believer and supporter of education, Mrs. Allen especially loved Blue Mountain College and MUW.As a very active member of First Baptist Church, Amory, and a wonderful Christian lady, she served as a Sunday school teacher, in the WMU, sang in the choir and was a supporter of Missions. Mrs. Allen was instrumental in starting Meadowood Baptist Church. In addition to her family and faith being important to her, she was always an inspiration in helping folks to better themselves through her teaching, counseling, assistance as learning English as a second language, and the giving of her time and talents in sharing her faith. Mrs. Allen enjoyed playing Mexican Train Dominos and Scrabble with friends from church and the Community Center as well as post retirement traveling.She is survived by her son, Sam (Pat) Allen, Hiram, GA, and step-son, Keith (Maureen) Allen, Amory; grandchildren, Kim Goolsby and Beth Brace, both of Hiram, GA, and Laura Wallace, Acworth, GA, Dr. Bob Allen, Decatur, AL, and Dr. Tom Allen, Pensacola, FL; 10 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Allen, Sr., sister, Hazel Moore and brother, J. B. Strickland, and 3 half-sisters and brothers.A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1PM, Monday at First Baptist Church with Dr. Allen Simpson officiating. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Don Leech, Frank Finney, Tommy Tapp, Curtis Lewellen, Gene Haney and Bobby N. Reeves.Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM, Sunday at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory.Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church Missions Fund, P. O. Box 540, Amory, MS 38821.Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com. Arrangements for the Allen family are in the care of E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory.