House Resolution 135

A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. MAGGIE OLEGAN DUNLAP ALLEN, AND EXPRESSING SINCERE AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of Mrs. Maggie (Tiny) Olegan Dunlap Allen to eternal rest; and

WHEREAS, she was born on January 31, 1914, in Gulfport, Mississippi, as the youngest of six children to Arthur and Ella Heidleberg Dunlap and departed this life on March 16, 2013, at the blessed age of 99 years old; and

WHEREAS, a woman of great faith, she accepted God as her savior at an early age and considered this as one of her greatest and most important accomplishments, and evidenced her pride by serving actively as a member at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Gulfport in various church activities, such as youth president, student teacher and children's choir member; and

WHEREAS, she attended Thirty-Third Avenue High School in Gulfport in 1933, where she was a scholar and talented gymnast who participated in acrobatic competitions throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, after high school, Maggie attended New Orleans University, which became Dillard University during her tenure there, but transferred to Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, to realize her dream of studying music under Mary Davis Young, where she graduated and moved on to complete her master's degree in education from New York University and later pursued doctoral studies at the University of Southern Mississippi while raising a child; and

WHEREAS, her passion for children motivated her to begin her teaching career as a substitute teacher in McComb, Mississippi, before being hired as a social studies teacher in Canton, Mississippi, at Cameron Street Elementary School, where she worked for five years before meeting the love of her life, Jason Wallace Allen, a teacher at Madison High School; and

WHEREAS, love blossomed between the two and they were married on June 3, 1942, and to this blessed union, one child, Jean, was born, and Mrs. Allen perfected the art of being a great wife and trusted friend to her husband, who she lovingly referred to as "Mr. Allen" and to whom she remained married for 54 years until his death; and

WHEREAS, after marrying Mr. Allen, the couple relocated to Coffeeville, Mississippi, where she taught at Coffeeville High School and later the couple moved to Charleston, Mississippi, where Mr. Allen assumed his first job as principal; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Allen taught social studies at Allen Carver High School, which was named in her husband's honor, later Mr. Allen accepted an offer to become principal of North Gulfport High School, where Mrs. Allen was hired as a counselor; and

WHEREAS, a true piece of Gulfport history, Mrs. Allen was among the first to integrate the staff at Harrison Central High School, where she served for 36 years as a counselor until her retirement; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Allen is remembered by many as a woman of professionalism, steadfast devotion to her students and her impeccable work ethic, who earned numerous awards, honors and distinctions throughout her life and more than 50 commendations including: Woman of the Year, Outstanding Leadership Award, Seta Sorority Outstanding Contribution to Mankind, Who's Who Among American Women and Outstanding Bible Study Home Trainer for Meridian District; and

WHEREAS, active in social and civic activities well into her 90s, she lived independently until her daughter urged her to move to New Orleans, where they resided until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck and caused them to relocate to Destin, Florida; and

WHEREAS, to cherish her memory, she is survived by: daughter, Jean; three step-granddaughters, Crystal, Alison and Carmen; dear friends, Joy and Mack; four god-daughters, Portia, Shunda, Debra and Gena; three sisters-in-law, Mary, Vera and Nita; and a host of nieces, nephews and other loved ones; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life and legacy of such a magnificent individual as Mrs. Maggie Olegan Dunlap Allen, her light radiated the presence of the Father, which is in Heaven, and her presence will be missed as she was the salt of the earth:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Maggie Olegan Dunlap Allen, whose life was a fragrant rose adorning the Heavenly Father's botanical garden, and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Maggie Olegan Dunlap Allen and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.