Melba Shepard Allen

Melba Elizabeth Shepard Allen (86) departed her earthly home for heaven on October 31, 2020. She was born in Mississippi County, Arkansas on November 24, 1933, to Thomas Wiley Shepard and Emma Blanche Austin Shepard. Although Arkansas was always home, her family traveled the eastern U.S. as migrant farm workers, providing ample material for the stories she created to entertain her children and grandchildren. She set the bar high when it came to work ethics, working a public job, raising and preserving vegetables, sewing for her children and cooking for her family. If anyone asked what her greatest achievement in life was, she would not hesitate to tell you “my children.” She was always a dedicated champion and cheerleader for her children and grandchildren. She was a great reader, loved fishing, travel, music, flowers and chocolate, collected rocks and arrowheads, made quilts and always had an idea to start something grand in her thoughts. Her family loved her fried chicken and coconut cake, and no one can duplicate it. It was hers and hers alone. Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Grady C. Allen, in 2018, her parents, brothers: Earl, A.W., J.T., Herbert, Ivan, Gene, and Wilbur; sisters, Aileen, Lorene and Barbara. Survivors include her daughters: Vickie Allen Thompson (David); Joy Allen Price; Cheryl Allen Smith (Jerry); and Pamela Allen; sons-in-law, Eddie Price and Tom Davis and sister Mavis Stevens Corpus and her grandchildren: Brady Cunningham (Liberty); Allen Thompson; Bryan Thompson; Katelin Davis; Wesley Price; Andrew Price; Brandon Davis; Fran Price and Eric Price (Jennifer). She leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm, November 3, 2020, at Magnolia Funeral Home. She was a member of Wheeler Grove Baptist Church, watching the services from home when she was no longer able to physically attend. She will be buried there next to her husband, Grady. A graveside service will be held at Wheeler Grove Cemetery at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Susan G. Komen or St. Jude. Due to Covid precautions, all guests are requested to adhere to social distancing and wear a mask.