Dawn Leigh Allen

Dawn Leigh Allen, age 63, resident of Biloxi, passed away at home on Friday, April 11, 2025.

She was born in Miami, Florida on March 23, 1962 and was native to Sarasota, Florida.

She in preceded in death by her father, Ronald Reeves Williams of Sarasota, Florida.

She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Scott Christopher Allen; mother, Miriam Mason (Smith) Williams; daughter, Ashleigh Dawn Allen; sister, Rhonda Ann Kapusta and brother-in-law Mark Reidy Kapusta. Other relatives include her niece Annalise Reeves Kapusta Glazer (Kody Glazer), niece Delaney Marie Kapusta and niece Abigail Leigh Kapusta; she referred to herself as an "exceptional aunt” to her great nephew Benjamin Reeves Glazer; many cousins; and her sweet dog, Jolene (“Jojo”), named after the Dolly Parton song.

Dawn was born on March 23, 1962, in Miami, Florida to parents Ronald and Miriam (Smith) Williams. In 1966, her family moved to Sarasota, Florida, where Dawn was raised alongside her sister Rhonda. She was a 1980 graduate of Riverview High School in Sarasota. Throughout her 20s and 30s, Dawn spent a majority of her time in Sarasota, working as a senior legal secretary. Also in Sarasota was where she met the love of her life Scott Allen. They married in 2002 and had their daughter Ashleigh in 2003. Scott’s job with the Air Force moved Dawn and the family to Albuquerque, New Mexico and then Biloxi, Mississippi. Dawn loved seeing many of these areas and learning about their history.

Dawn was the wife of 10-year army veteran Scott Christopher Allen and advocated strongly on his behalf in all matters military related. In addition, Dawn was actively involved and supportive of Scott after his diagnosis of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6 (SCA-6) in 2023.

Throughout most of Dawn’s professional career she worked as an office manager and senior legal assistant at Bohdan Neswiacheny Law firm in Sarasota, Florida and worked as the senior administrative assistant to the plan president at United Healthcare in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Much like her father, Dawn took pride in studying ancestry, particularly as it related to her family history and the history of Florida. She had a passion for cooking, especially alongside her husband. Another thing that she got from her dad was her love of Harley Davidson motorcycles. She had one when she was younger and took great pride in keeping her motorcycle endorsement on her license. She was a true Florida Gator fan and enjoyed watching games that featured any University of Florida team. Dawn loved listening to ‘70s and ‘80s music with her husband and reminiscing on the great times together.

Dawn comes from a tightly knit family with very close bonds. It always seemed like she had the best memory and frequently shared stories about family and friends. When her father passed, she found comfort in those who came before her by using their cherished heirlooms–his Harley Davidson coffee cup became part of her daily ritual. A true people person, Dawn could immediately connect with anyone she met. Two things she loved the most in life were family and her devotion to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Dawn will always be remembered and carried through the many hearts that adored her, as she always did for those who preceded her.

Memorial contributions in Dawn’s honor can be made to a GoFundMe made for her husband Scott Allen who has Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6.

In addition, you can also donate to the National Ataxia Foundation https://www.ataxia.org/donate/ or Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate

Funeral services will be private, and are being arranged by Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County. Interment will be held at a later date at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, FL.

An online obituary may be viewed, and memories shared at www.RiemannFamily.com