Sylvia Pearl Allen

Sylvia Pearl Allen Sylvia Pearl Allen, age 89, passed away on September 17, 2004. She was a long time Austin resident and a charter member of the Highland Park Baptist Church. Sylvia was born on February 27, 1915 in Palacios, Texas, the only child of Pearl and Wilber Rittenhouse. She moved with her parents to Huntsville, Texas at an early age. Sylvia graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College where she was a member of Alpha Chi and Pi Omega Pi, honor societies. In 1937, Sylvia married her childhood sweetheart, Raymon Allen. They lived in Pasadena, Texas for several years where Sylvia was head of the Commercial Department of Pasadena High School. Sylvia and Raymon moved to Austin in 1945. They built and operated Beacon Lodges, a tourist resort on Lake Travis, for twelve years. After selling their lake property, they moved to the Highland Park West section of Austin. Sylvia became active in community affairs and in the school activities of their children. Sylvia was an ardent bowler and was a member of the Austin Womens Bowling Association for thirty years. Another hobby was needlework and she leaves a legacy of prize-winning needlework for family and friends. But her greatest love was for her husband of 56 years, her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. Sylvia was preceded in death by her daughter, Judy Allen Swartz, her parents, and her husband. She is survived by two daughters, Donna and husband Bill Bailey of Grand Junction, Colorado and Wendy and husband Mark Smith of Elgin, Texas; one son, Wayne and wife Theresa Allen of Lake Travis; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial services will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at AmeriPark Austin, 1130 Camino La Costa. Although flowers will be appreciated, for those desiring to make a charitable contribution, please consider the ministry fund of Highland Park Baptist Church, 5206 Balcones Dr., Austin, TX 78731. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 – (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at wcfish.com