Nannie Harriet Allen

Nannie Harriet Edwards Allen, a true southern belle and beauty, passed away Sunday March 22, 2015 at Methodist Hospital in Houston, surrounded by her family. Known to her friends as Nan and Nannie and her children and grandchildren as Grannie Nannie, Nan was born on April 24, 1925, in Union Springs, Alabama to John Morris Edwards and Radford Buckhaults Edwards. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Richard “Dick” Allen; three loving children, Milton Edwards Allen and wife Dorothy of Kingwood, Amanda Allen Dwyer (Sister) and husband Steve of Houston and Andrew Collins Allen and wife Julie of San Antonio; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and great friends. She is predeceased by her sons Jack and Johnny.

Grannie Nannie’s family was well known and prominent in her hometown of Union Springs. She grew up in the company and close companionship of her many aunts, uncles and cousins. An avid reader and student of literature, she was valedictorian of her high school class and graduated from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia with a BA degree in languages. While at Wesleyan College, she met her future husband, Dick. Dick was in flight training at nearby Cochran Field. Their courtship survived the war and they were married at the war’s end. They began their life together in Austin as he entered UT Law School. Nan left her soft southern life to become a “naturalized Texan”. Nan taught school in Austin while Dick was in law school and for a period of time in Tyler. Nan and Dick moved to Houston in 1953. He went to work in the mortgage banking business and she turned her attentions toward her children and her responsibilities as a mother and homemaker. In the mid nineteen sixties Nan and Dick moved from Houston to the Clear Lake area. It was a time when NASA and the space race were sitting on the launch pad. They met and made many lifelong friends. Dick was organizing a new business and Grannie Nannie was managing her family. She loved to cook and tend to her children. She was completely and totally dedicated and committed to her family. No mother ever loved her children more and no wife ever loved her husband more than Grannie Nannie who loved them all. In later life, she remained true to her love of literature and devoured book after book; she loved mystery and intrigue. She loved to travel, see new places and meet new people. She and Dick traveled extensively around the country, as well as the globe, both by land and by sea. She loved to play golf and made her first hole-in-one at Baywood Country Club before Dick made his and she never let him forget it. Grannie Nannie was a charter member of Pines Presbyterian Church and Clear Lake Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Junior League of Houston, past president of the Lakewood Yacht Club Ladies Association. She was a fund raiser for the Pin Oak Horse Show and set records for her division. She was Chairman of the first Lunar Rendezvous Ball in Clear Lake and served in that capacity for the next two years.

The family wishes to thank The Methodist Hospital SICU team for the attention, kindness and care extended to our Grannie Nannie. Special thanks to Frank, Punch, Ms. H, Joan, Barbara and Taylor and the entire nursing and management staff, not to forget Mark Martinez, our man in the hall.

A memorial service to celebrate a beautiful life will be held at Lakewood Yacht Club, 2425 NASA Parkway, Seabrook, Texas at high noon, on Wednesday March 25, 2015, conducted by Reverend George Aurich. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held at the Yacht Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Pines Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice. Pine Presbyterian Church, 12751 Kimberley, Houston, Texas 77024.