Zella Allen

Zella Marie Gardner Allen, age 97, of Bismarck, died December 25, 2018.  She was born August 22, 1921, in Beaton, Arkansas to Walter and Rosa Diffee Gardner.  She was predeceased by her parents, baby sister, Bernice Gardner, and her husband of 68 years, Desmer.  Zella was the oldest active member of DeRoche Missionary Baptist Church.

She is survived by son, Elster (Bonnie) Allen of Bismarck and daughter, Diane (Ronnie) Allen Hughes also of Bismarck; four grandchildren, Marty and Wendell Allen, Aaron Hughes and Abby Hughes Holsclaw; eight great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; brother, Clifford Gardner of Clinton, PA and sister, Oma Padgett of Hot Springs, AR.

She worked as a seamstress at Nahas and Whitehouse manufacturing companies for many years.  Zella loved to sew.  Her quilts and embroidery work will be cherished forever by family and friends.  She loved going to country singings, especially at her childhood church, Pleasant Hill, in Bismarck.

Service will be 10:00 AM Friday, December 28th at DeRoche Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Chris Morrison officiating. Burial will follow at DeRoche Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Thurday at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to DeRoche Baptist Church Building Fund, in care of Alicia Hunt, 272 Tupelo Trail, Bismarck, AR 71929.

Pallbearers will be: Marty, Wendell, Trevor Allen, Aaron Hughes, Jason Holsclaw, and George Dunn.