Mrs. Frances Bell Allen

Alma Frances Bell Allen, of Dickson, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at St. Thomas Hospital West in Nashville, Tennessee. She is survived by her loving husband, William Norris Allen and two children, Sherry Lee Allen (married to Dr. Richard Percy) of Greensboro, NC and Dr. Wesley David Allen (married to Elizabeth Anne Allen) of Athens, GA. Mrs. Allen was born to James M. and Alma Lee Bell in Russellville, Arkansas in 1939. Always an avid student, she excelled at mathematics and music. The family moved to Dickson, TN when Mrs. Allen was a senior in high school. She always credited the success of this move to the support of her church and UMYF family at First United Methodist Church, Dickson. Mr. and Mrs. Allen met through the Methodist Church and while attending Austin Peay State University. They married the 20th of December 1957. Mrs. Allen went on to finish a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics, and taught advanced mathematics and computer sciences for 30 years in the Dickson County School System. Mrs. Allen was a constant partner with her husband in business and missions. She managed the business office of Allen Brothers Construction Company. After retirement from teaching she partnered with her husband to lead many Volunteers in Mission teams that built schools, churches, clinics, and homes in the Caribbean and Central America. She suffered a major stroke in May 2011 which brought these activities to an end. Mrs. Allen was a model grandmother, thoroughly enjoying her grandchildren: Richard Lyle Percy, II (age 25 of Portland, Oregon), Ashley Margaret Allen (age 14 of Athens, GA) and Andrew David Allen (age 12 of Athens, GA). Mrs. Allen is also survived by her sister Mrs. Jimmie Lee Cogburn of Atlanta, GA; brother Dr. Bill G. Bell of Encinitas, CA, and four nieces and nephews. Visitation for Mrs. Allen will be Tuesday, March 29 from 4-8 pm at the Spann Funeral Home of Dickson as well as on Wednesday, March 30, from 1-2 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Dickson. Services will be Wednesday, March 30 starting at 2 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Dickson. In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts to the Dickson First United Methodist Church Volunteers in Mission.