Evelyn Louvenia Otts Allen passed peacefully from this life to her eternal reward at 4:17 a.m. November 28 at the age of 98. She was born October 15, 1924, in rural Jacksonville, Texas and resided in Jacksonville all of her life. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, Dec. 3 at New Life United Pentecostal Church, 204 Bellaire St., Jacksonville. Visitation is at 10 a.m. with Service following at 11 a.m. under the direction of Boren-Conner Funeral Home of Jacksonville with Pastor Sanny Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Old City Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Benjamin Randolph (Randy) Allen and wife Sandra Lea Fuller Allen, and Nancy Gail Allen Fuller and husband Dale Douglas Fuller, all of Jacksonville; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Stephen Randolph Allen and children Morgan Barbara, Rachel Gail  and Luke Fisher of The Woodlands; Scott Anthony Allen, wife Katie Chisholm Allen, and children Lily Ann, Caleb James and Aiden Jack of Houston; and Dr. Karen D’Ann Allen and husband David “Doc” Fenner of Lufkin; also numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Bennie Aracial Allen; parents Aaron Otts and Bertie Kirkpatrick Otts; and three sisters, Faye Otts Allen, Elvie Otts Allen, and Joy Otts Sanders; and special friend of more than 75 years, Frankie Hale.

Evelyn was blessed with the ability to play the piano and did so for individual and congregational singing for over 50 years.  One of the joys of her life was “keeping” the grandkids and, later in life, showing the great grandkids how to play the piano.  Her entire life, she found great fulfillment in visiting area nursing homes and encouraging the residents, often playing the piano for them.

In her career, Evelyn worked as an operator on the “old switch board” Bell telephone system and held clerical and bookkeeping positions at various places, including Bealls, T.E. Allen Construction Co. and Travis Towers (14 years). 

Evelyn and husband Bennie were lifelong members of New Life United Pentecostal Church of Jacksonville.

The family would like to thank the staff at Briarcliff Skilled Nursing Facility, Legacy at Jacksonville, Hospice of East Texas, and Dr. James Low who cared for Evelyn for many years.