April 21, 1910 - March 20, 2006
"Life is for the living."Published Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Louise Allen, 95, Nurse, Activist
By Rhonda Gentle
The Ledger
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Louise Carter Allen had a thirst for knowledge and took English literature courses at Florida Southern College until she was well into her 80s.
"She was way ahead of her time in the ways of reading and self-improvement, but just in step with her times in the areas of hospitality, gentleness, refinement and above-reproach character," said her longtime friend, Cecelia M. Moore.
Mrs. Allen, a former nurse and community activist, died of lung disease Monday (March 20, 2006) in Azalea Park. She was 95.
Born in Tampa on April 21, 1910, she attended nursing school at Germantown Hospital in Philadelphia. Mrs. Allen worked as a nurse in the Bartow area and at Morrell Memorial Hospital for four or five years.
After her husband, the late J. Everett Allen, founded Allen & Company in 1932, she worked at the investment company until the late 1930s.
She had a longtime interest in antiques, and following the death of her husband in 1979 she began taking annual summer trips to England.
"It was a learning tour of about 15 or 16 days," said her son, Ralph C. Allen. "She never got a chance to go into an antique store. They went from large home to large home and there were a lot of lectures. Coupled with English literature she had a lot of things to tie in and it made things more interesting. She loved her trips to England."
Mrs. Allen read the Bible daily and made it a point to read the entire Bible once a year. After founding the church library at First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, she visited it daily, Ralph Allen said.
"She never offered anything about her knowledge of something. She would be more interested in talking to you about your interests," he said. "That was a real special trait. I have learned that her depth of subjects were apparently greater than I realized."
Although Mrs. Allen was described as a quiet lady, she was a leader in many capacities. She was a state president of the PEO in 1954, a member and past president of PEO Chapter W., a member and past president of the Junior Welfare League, a founding member and past president of the Contemporary Club and a founder and past president of the Antique Club of Lakeland. She was a 60-year member of the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club. She was a 66-year member of First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland.
Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, J. Everett Allen. In addition to her son, Ralph C. Allen, she is survived by her granddaughters, Virginia Allen Houghton and Michelle Allen McIntire, and two greatgrandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Endowment Fund, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, 33803.
Heath Funeral Chapel.
