Joyce Allen

Mrs. Joyce P. Allen, age 83, resident of Long Beach, passed away on Monday, May 12, 2008, in Gulfport.
Mrs. Allen was born in Holly Hill, SC to the late Thomas Nealie and Lucille Hutto Parler. She moved to the Coast in the early 1950's and was a homemaker. She was very active at her church home, First United Methodist Church, Gulfport, where she was a member of the Sassy Seniors Group and Past President of the United Methodist Women. She also spent her time volunteering with Feed My Sheep.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, James R. Allen; her parents; and a brother, Jean Marion Parler.
She is survived by her children, Debbie Whitfield and her husband Stan of Saucier, Bobby Allen and his wife Anna of Long Beach, Kenny Allen and his wife Melinda of Pass Christian, and Garry Allen and his wife Beth of Hondo, TX; two sisters, Verdna Kent of Warner Robbins, GA, and Marguerite Dunbar of Chapin, SC; grandchildren, Shawn Ladner, Shane Whitfield, Robin Allen Shelton, Angela Allen, Neal Allen, and T.J. Allen; eight great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Gulfport. Visitation will be held two hours prior to services in the church sanctuary. Burial will follow at Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens in Long Beach.
The family prefers memorials to First UMC-TV Ministries Fund, 2301 15th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501, or Feed My Sheep, P.O. Box 6883, Gulfport, MS 39506.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, is in charge of arrangements, and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com.