Ira Jean Allen

Ira Jean Allen, 89, passed away Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Fayetteville, Ark.

She was born June 3, 1930, in Quantico, Va., to Lester Hamilton Cross and Ethel (Kelly) Cross.

Although Ira Jean was her legal name, she was Jeannie Allen to all who knew her. The wife of a career military man, she and Keith lived in many places. Their last station of duty was Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyo. They quickly became enamored of the lovely mountains and spent almost every weekend camping, fishing, hiking or hunting, taking their kids along on the adventure. She was a Girl Scout Leader for many years, and trained at the home of Juliet Gordon Lowe, founder of the Girl Scouts of America. She was the Family Services Coordinator at two military bases and was honored to work with Mrs. Curtis LeMay.

After retirement they sold their house, packed their motor home and went traveling across the country, becoming full-time Snowbirds for more than 20 years. They then settled in Arkansas to be near their son and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Keith Allen; her sister, Anna Mae Holdridge; her parents-in-law, Hubert Allen and Alma Alice (King) Allen; and her daughter-inlaw, Karmen Allen.

She is survived by her daughter, Nadine DiBacco and husband T. Jay of Omaha, Neb.; her son, Keith Allen of Farmington, Ark.; sisters-in-law Linda (Allen) Asbury of Cheyenne, Joanne Allen of Missouri; brother-in-law, Norman Kugler of Livonia, Mich.; and two grandchildren, Bailey Allen and Maya Allen of Farmington.

A funeral service was held Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Save the Turtles, 5114 Parkhurst Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95409. An online guest book is available at www.nelsonberna.com.

Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville was in charge of arrangements.

Grove followed by burial at Baptist Ford Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

An online guest book is available at www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

Moore’s Chapel Funeral Home of Fayetteville, Ark., was in charge of arrangements.