Obituary of Claudia Allen

Claudia Allen, age 71, of Detroit went to her Heavenly Home Thursday, September 10, 2009. Surrounded by her family after having a long, hard battle, she is now resting in the arms of her Heavenly Father. Claudia was born February 14, 1938 to Coy and Carrine Alford in Manchester. She married L.P. “Snooky” Allen on December 7, 1938 at the Peach Creek Community Center. She was a loving Mother, Grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She loved her many families. She was the oldest of eight children and loved her brothers and sisters like they were her own. She cared for her Father and Mother-in-law in Grimes County until the move to Red River County in 1972. In Red River County she found many new friends and families. She found her church family in 1973 and was active in the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church cooking during revivals, director of Vacation Bible School for many years and instrumental in the building of the current church and parsonage. She had her café’ family from 1974 to 1988 working at several local restaurants including The Cow Talk Steakhouse north of Clarksville which she owned and operated. After her children were grown and married she decided to work for Wal-Mart from 1996 to 2006 mainly in the craft department and found another family, which she dearly loved. She participated in the Red River County Stew Cook Off over 25 years with numerous wins and was an avid supporter of the Red River County Fair. She is listed on the Wall of Fame at the Red River Valley Fair Grounds. She was a Red River County 4-H leader for many, many years and was known to haul kids all over Texas to competitions. This was just another family that she loved as well. In recent years her life revolved around her Grandkids and their activities. Known as Granny to all the kids, she could always be seen at their rodeos, ball games, school functions or many other activities and went all out for them. In the summertime she was busy working in her garden and canning goodies and wintertime she was busy sewing and making handcrafts for her many families. She loved to cook for family and friends and various gatherings. Many will remember the Easter Bar-B-Q’s or Halloween pots of stew. She loved life, her Lord Jesus Christ and her many families. Claudia was preceded in death by her husband in January 1993, her granddaughter; Angel Allen in October of 1992, her Father in 1979 and two brothers, Hubert and Steve Alford. Survivors include her sons; Leslie and wife Gina Allan of Bogata, Coy and wife Lisa Allen of Detroit and daughter Frances and husband Craig Fletcher of Detroit, grandchildren; Wade Allen of Bogata, Lane and Samantha Allen of Detroit, Katy and Dolan Fletcher of Detroit, her Mother; Carrine Alford of Bogata, brothers; Ronnie Alford, Ray and wife Teresa Alford, Harold Alford, Richard and wife Linda Alford, sister; Liz and husband Jim Irwin along with a host of nieces and nephews. Burial will follow in the family plot in the Hopewell Community on the “home place” under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. Pallbearers include Ashley Minter, John Minter, Kyle Taylor, Kevin Taylor, Shane Henderson, Tracy Henderson, Michael Fletcher and Danny Phillips. Honorary pallbearers are the Deacons of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church; Kenneth Henderson, Johnny Boyd, Dewey Knight and Larry Stringer.