Berniece Meek Allen

Tribute Berniece was born September 17, 1915, to Thula Henderson and Jesse James Waits in the Hamilton community of Franklin County. She died Aug. 3, 2019, in Dallas, Texas. Her family moved around a lot when she was growing up and she graduated high school in New Mexico. After they moved back to Mount Vernon she ­graduated from a post graduate business program at Mount ­Vernon High School. Her first job was with the USDA, but because of her secretarial skills Judge R. T. Wilkerson persuaded her to go to work for him, where she stayed until his retirement. After his death she worked part time for Mr. Norman Dupree. When town leaders began to explore the idea of a lake to serve the water and recreational needs of the area she was employed by the FCWD and remained there through the construction of Lake Cypress Springs. Berniece married Lloyd Meek in Mount Vernon, Tex., on December 21, 1937, while Lloyd was a student at Texas A&M. When WWII broke out Lloyd was drafted into the U. S. Army Air Corps as a Lieutenant. They lived on many posts in the U. S but while stationed in Colorado they adopted their daughter Arlene. After Lloyd was sent to England, Berniece drove from Montana, with three year old Arlene, to Mount Vernon. The couple owned and operated an Exxon station (then Humble) where Sure Quick is located on West Main, while Lloyd purchased land and raised cattle, which was his first love. Lloyd preceded her in death on Feb. 15, 1974. Several years after his death she moved to Dallas where she met and married Joe Allen in 1978. Joe died in 1998. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a grandson Joseph Lloyd Clinton and a son-in-law Jack Clinton. She is survived by her daughter Arlene Clinton, one stepdaughter JoLynn Atkins and her husband Gray. Four grandchildren, Elizabeth Clinton, David Clinton, Ashley Harris, and Bryan Boullion, and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her niece Judy Meek Lindley and nephew Jim Meek. The family held a private burial in August. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of her life on Sept. 17, 2019, her 104th birthday, at 3:00 p.m. at the County Seat on the square in Mount Vernon. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to either Franklin County Genealogy Society or Mount Vernon Cemetery. . Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Berniece Meek Allen