Obituary for Norma Allen

Norma Jeanne Allen

July 11, 1924 — October 9, 2023

Good-bye Norma Jeanne

Obituary for Norma Jeanne Allen prepared by Norma Jeanne Allen

Norma Jeanne Barbee Allen was born in Afton, Oklahoma, July 11, 1924, to William H. Barbee and Maude Mann Barbee. She was the youngest of three children, brother, John Wesley and sister, Madeline.

She had wonderful Christian parents who took their children to Sunday School, Church, and Prayer Meetings, faithfully, and who provided a good home until adulthood.

She married her high school sweetheart, Merl E. Allen, who served in the Navy in World War II. Merl and Jeanne had three children, a son, Gary Allen, who preceded Jeanne in death, a very sad occasion, and two daughters, Jeri Waller and husband Keith and Keri Allen.

Merl died at forty-two, and Jeanne finished raising her children, who presented her with beautiful grandchildren. Grandson, Jeffery Allen, who also preceded Jeanne in death, granddaughters, Juli Johnson, Jill Johnson, Jacy Bussey, Kristin Allen, and Ashley Campbell as well as grandson Brett Waller, and grandson-in-law John Maldonado.

Jeanne believed in the highest power of God and his son, Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, who comforts us in our times of need.

She believed in the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and desired that everyone places their faith, also, in Him, that we might have everlasting life together.

After reading my mother’s handwritten Obituary, I decided that there was just way too much more to tell about this remarkable woman, who lived to be 99 years old and 3 months.

In 1963, Ponca City, OK, I feel that my family lived in their own Camelot, nothing like JFK and Jacqueline, but in a minute likeness, in Ponca City, OK.

November 23, 1963, we lost my father, Merl Embry Allen, to Cancer, just one day after JFK was assassinated, on November 22, 1963. I am so sorry that my father had to learn that JFK was dead before he passed away, one day later. In those days, Camelot was a dream come true. And yes, my father was a Republican and Mama, of course, was a Democrat, to the day that she died, but they both loved Camelot, JFK Days.

At that point in time…my mother had never worked a day in her life, yes, a housewife, that took care of her children, that’s what they did in the 60’s, they didn’t need degrees, or education beyond high school.

After my father passed, my mother went to work cleaning small motels, Lazy K, Thunderbird, etc. and worked for a $1.00 an hour cleaning houses, day by day.

My Mother found herself very involved in the Arts, Ceramics, Antiques, Etc. Thus, she started dealing in Flea Markets, Tee Hee, etc. She met a farmer, that she spent 20 years with, and literally drove his wheat truck to the market each summer, where she met Fred Boetcher, who was also, at that time, driving wheat trucks for his grandfather, I think. They became very, very close friends! I mention this because Fred Beotcher, remained her dear, dear, close friend throughout the years. And, of course, mine. He did so much for Ponca City, OK.

When I moved into High School, in 1972, she got her first REAL job at Smith Gruner’s, painting drill bits. Yes, my mother was very, very artistic, and being left-handed she could turn those drill bits out in minutes. It was the first time in our lives, since my father had passed, that we had benefits, insurance, etc. She stayed with Smith Gruner’s for 27 years. At the end, they were begging her to retire, as she caused so much trouble with unions, etc. I think she was 72 when she retired, and I am sure they were so HAPPY! They begged her to retire for years!

You go Mama! This is Norma Jeanne Allen, my mother! For those that knew her, I know that you know she was the ultimate woman for everything! I will never forget you, or what you stood up for. She was a quarter Native American, and would never, never let anyone forget it. And I will never let anyone forget that either.

Graveside Services for Norma will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery at 2 p.m.

Condolences and memories may be shared in our online guest registry on Norma’s Page at www.gracememorialchapel.net

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma in person or by mail to their office at 445 Fairview, Ponca City, OK 74604 or call 580-762-9102 to process your payment over the phone.