Alice L. (Parmele) Allen, 98, of Columbus, KS passed away Friday, February 28, 2020 at Medicalodge of Columbus. Alice was born March 27, 1921 in Columbus, the daughter of Ira L. and Nona L. (Bobbitt) Parmele.
She graduated from CCCHS in 1938 and married Cleo C. Allen on May 11, 1943 in the First Christian Church in Columbus. Alice and Cleo enjoyed nearly 65 years of marriage before his passing on February 17, 2008.
Alice was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother that loved to cook for her family including delicious produce from a large garden that she and Cleo enjoyed tending for many years.
Summer days were filled with tending garden, harvesting the produce, canning and freezing sweet corn, green beans, peas, and other vegetables. Whether shucking a pickup load of sweet corn, snapping green beans, or shelling peas, it was a family activity to be remembered. Even after all 4 sons moved away from home, each time one or all returned home for holidays and visits, they and their families were welcomed with delicious meals including all of their favorites.
She loved family gatherings and also loved traveling whether it was by car, pickup camper, RV, jet, or on the back of a motorcycle behind Cleo.
Alice was an active member of Center Christian Church serving as Choir Director for more than 60 years and as Director of The Sounds of Praise, a woman’s ensemble, for many years. She was also organist or pianist for church services, weddings, funerals, and other occasions for most of her life.
In addition to directing music groups at her church, she also directed the Cherokee County Women’s Chorus, the Center Busy Bees 4-H Club chorus, the Center Consolidated School chorus, and several other groups.
Alice discovered her talent and passion for music at an early age while learning to sing and play piano and cello. That passion was demonstrated in so many ways. In high school, she was a cellist in the orchestra and piano accompanist for choral groups and soloists. In later years, she played cello solos at church and was a cellist in an orchestra at Labette Community College. She also continued to serve as piano accompanist for most of her life.
In addition to performing, directing, and accompanying, Alice loved to share her passion for music by giving piano lessons and providing vocal music instruction. She gave piano lessons to a number of local kids, some that were inspired to further develop their music talents to perform, serve as pianist or organist for their church, provide piano accompaniment, and/or choose a career in teaching music.
She provided less formal vocal and general music instruction to several local kids to help them prepare for performances, music contests, or simply to improve their talent. She accompanied some of her students and several non-students to music contests, many times to serve as their piano accompanist. Her goal was always to share her love for music in hopes that the love for music would be heightened for others.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and best friend Nona Mary Legg, and her brother of which she was so proud Dr. James L. Parmele.
She is survived by four sons: Stephen L. Allen (Angela) of The Woodlands, TX, Phillip J. Allen (Mary Ann) of Gallup, NM, Paul D. Allen (Jan) of Columbus, KS, and Mark L. Allen (Dottie) of Republic, MO; five grandchildren: John M. Allen, Jeffrey P. Allen (Kendra), C. Michael Allen (Celeste), Matthew T. Allen (Jill) and Mindy B. Vance (Jason), a step-grandson Douglas Bell; 9 great –grandchildren and 4 step-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Erma Stover of Columbus, brother-in-law Gene Legg of Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will be gathering at the home of Mrs. Erma Stover at 605 S. Minnesota in Columbus. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Center Christian Church. Interment will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 P.M. Friday evening at Bath Naylor Funeral Home. Mrs. Allen may be viewed at the Bath Naylor Funeral Home after 1:00 P.M. on Friday. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Memorials may be made to Center Christian Church; these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home.
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