Nelda Jean Allen

Funeral services for Nelda Jean Allen, 85, of Lufkin will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Keith Castleberry and Reverend Josh Reneau officiating. Entombment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park Mausoleum. Mrs. Allen was born September 29, 1930 in Angelina County, Texas, and died Saturday, April 23, 2016 at her residence. Mrs. Allen was a lifetime resident of Lufkin and a 1949 graduate of Lufkin High School. As a young woman, she was heralded as an accomplished dancer and traveled the world with her husband Robert. Mrs. Allen loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and was always involved in their lives. She was a Storybook Grandmother and a member of the Lufkin Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Allen was a member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Lufkin. Survivors include her husband, Robert Allen of Lufkin; daughter and son-in-law, Vennessa and John Childerss of Lufkin; daughter-in-law, Gloria (Davis) King of Navasota; grandchildren and spouses, Melissa and Rev. Keith Castleberry, Heather and Bill Strawn, Meredith (McMullen) and Andrew Smith, Lindsey Childerss, and Jace Childerss; great-grandchildren, Lacie Followwell, Rev. Ethan Castleberry, Camille Castleberry, and Wesley Strawn; great-great-granddaughter, Ellis Kate Followwell; and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arris (Brookshire) and Shorty Weickersheimier; son, Robert L. “Butch” Allen; daughter, Sheila McMullen; son-in-law, Jack O. “Butch” McMullen, Jr.; and brother, L.C. Cook. Pallbearers will be Jace Childerss, Ethan Castleberry, Wesley Strawn, Bill Strawn, Andrew Smith, and David McNeese. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Dickinson, Gary Dickinson, Kevin Dickinson, and Red Free. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 212 Gene Samford Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.