Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Mary Isabel Manley Allen, born on Oct. 23, 1924, in Atlanta, Georgia, will celebrate her 100th birthday Saturday, Oct. 26, at Acton Baptist Church, surrounded by family and friends. A member of “The Greatest Generation,” Allen’s life reflects resilience, faith, and service, shaped by the hardships of the Great Depression and deepened by her unwavering commitment to her Christian beliefs.
Growing up during the Depression, Allen lost her father at the age of nine. Left without financial assistance, her mother, Myrtle, supported the family by taking in boarders. This experience taught Allen the value of hard work and gave her an indomitable spirit that would carry her through many challenges.
In 1955, Allen’s life took a pivotal turn when she embraced Christianity, a decision that led to decades of ministry work. She became a dedicated teacher and evangelist, focusing on children’s ministries.
Her daughter, Elaine Thomas, describes her mother as a “prayer warrior” and a “godly servant,” always ready to share her faith with others. She later reflected on this transformation through poetry, writing:
“What a difference the Lord has made,
In my life, since I’ve been saved.
He freed me from all sin and shame,
And now I’m called by His dear name.
His Spirit came to dwell within,
To manifest Christ’s life to men.
My heart’s desire is now to seek,
And bring the lost to Jesus’ feet.”
After raising three children, Allen returned to work in the executive offices at Rich’s in Atlanta, where she was employed for 19 years. In retirement, she was far from idle. At 70, Allen answered a new call to serve as a missionary in Ukraine with CoMission, helping to establish bible studies in schools.
For a year, she lived in the small town of Izmail, near the Romanian border, helping to establish Bible studies and train locals in evangelism despite unreliable water, electricity, and heating challenges. She returned to Ukraine twice, including a trip at age 80 to minister to street children. To keep her spirits up, she wrote a lighthearted jingle about the struggles of daily life:
“Oh, for a shower nice and hot
To scrub and clean each spot.
The glories of hot water and lights,
Help me triumph in Your might.”
“It was a difficult year, but she never wavered,” said Thomas. “Her heart was always open to God’s call, no matter where it led.”
Throughout her life, Allen was active in her church and community. She served on the Georgia State Board for Child Evangelism Fellowship, developed Christian curricula for children, and taught other believers how to share the gospel through Evangelism Explosion. Even into her 90s, Allen continued her ministry, teaching children about the hope found in Jesus Christ. Several of her devotionals were featured in the book For the Joy.
After moving to Granbury in 2006, Allen became an active member of Acton Baptist Church and the Granbury Quilters’ Guild. In addition to her missionary work, she authored two children’s devotionals distributed at Easter and Christmas.
With three children, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, Allen’s family will gather to honor her remarkable life. “Her faith has been her guiding light,” said Thomas. “And that faith continues to inspire all of us.”
Allen’s legacy of faith and service has touched countless lives, and as she celebrates her 100th birthday, her influence continues to ripple through generations.
