Mada Brann Allen

Mada Allen, loving mother, grandmother, and friend passed away Friday, March 29, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. All we are at liberty to say is she qualified for Willard Scott’s Smucker’s minute on the Today show. If you knew Mada you know that she would never forgive us if we revealed her age!

Mada was born in Hauge, Florida to Robert Elry and Ethel McColskey, and moved to Lake City at an early age. She graduated from Columbia High School where she was class valedictorian, and went on to attend Florida State College for Women where she earned a degree in Home Economics and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

Mada was a nurturer and a homemaker. She was the consummate hostess and her sour cream pound cake is legendary. Many wonderful evenings were spent around her dining room table, and if you were fortunate enough to be on her guest list it was a culinary event to be remembered!

Mada Brann is a name that still resonates in the halls of Hendricks Ave School where she taught for many years. Mada was a dedicated teacher, with a passion for learning and for excellence.

Mada was a strong woman, and an accomplished organizer and leader. She was president of the Pilot Club of Jacksonville and very active in the American Cancer Society, Southside Baptist Church, and Swaim Memorial United Methodist Church. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her infectious smile, and her kind and compassionate spirit.

Mada Allen loved the Lord. She lived her life so that others knew what it meant to be a Christian. She was the heart of our family. Those of us she leaves behind are better people for having known her love and having witnessed her faith.

Mada was blessed with two wonderful husbands, A. W. Brann and Roy Allen, and they were blessed by her. She is survived by her loving family, Jo Crosby, Bob Brann, stepsons Dr. Alfred W. Brann and Roy Allen Jr., stepdaughter Anne Dewese, much loved daughters-in-law Jackie Brann and Peggy Brann, and son-in law Johnny Crosby. Her grandchildren, Maggie Crosby Papadea, Meredith Crosby, Christopher Brann, Stuart Brann, Will Brann, Ginny Wagner, Matt Allen, Elaine Simmons, Emily Glading, Susanna DeWese and Andrew Dewese admired and cherished their “Granny”. She will live on in their hearts forever.

Special thanks to Arbor Terrace San Jose for the exceptional care and compassion they extended to “Miss Mada”.

Mada has gone home; we will see her again one day. What a grand reunion that will be. A Celebration of Life will be held at Mandarin United Methodist Church Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.