Mary Eva Dauben Allen

Mary Eva Dauben Allen

Mary Eva Dauben Allen was born on Aug. 26, 1930 in Arcadia, Kan., the daughter of Edith and Howard Dauben. She passed away on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at the St. Luke's Heart Institute of Kansas City, Mo. Mary lived in the Arcadia and Fort Scott area her entire life. She loved her family dearly. Mary was a housewife and raised nine children. During this time she also worked night shifts at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital as a nurse's aide. Mary had a passion to serve others and was faithful to her calling as a caregiver for many years. Once her children were in school, Mary began her 20-year physician's assistant career with the Fort Scott Family Physicians, retiring in 1992. After retiring, she volunteered for 17 years at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital as a member of the Auxiliary.

Mary's faith and family was at the center of her life and she made it a priority to raise her family in church. Her walk with Christ began at the Cherry Grove Baptist Church as a young girl. She attended Grace Baptist Tabernacle for approximately 10 years, before returning to Cherry Grove. Mary was a wonderful mother and grandmother. As her family grew, her greatest joy became spending time with her grandkids. She would travel near and far to support her grandkids in their activities. She enjoyed country music and for many years enjoyed Saturday nights at the Fort Scott Jubilee. Mary enjoyed reading, putting together puzzles, camping and spending time outdoors. She had a lovely flower garden, greenhouse, and fishpond she tended to throughout the years.

Mary is survived by husband, Cleland Allen of the home; daughter and son-in-law Janice and Dusty Briggs of Bushton, Kan.; son and daughter-in-law Gary and Liz Simons of Kearney, Mo.; daughter and son-in-law Sondra and Paul Joe Newton; daughter Connie Simons; daughter Pam Reidel; son and daughter-in-law Larry Joe and Kim Simons; daughter and son-in-law Diane and Rob Gray, all of Fort Scott, Kan.; stepson and stepdaughter-in-law Rodney and Sandy Allen of Texas; 18 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; brother and sister-in-law Verdon and Chelsa Dauben; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ottis and Minnie-Lou Allen; sister-in-law Joyce Allen all of Fort Scott, Kan.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Max and Veda Casteel of Clinton, Mo.; and sister-in-law Edna Mae Allen of Liberty, Mo. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Geier Simons, husband James Henry Marshall, brother Billy Dauben, brother David Dauben, son Robert "Bobby" Simons, son Billy Simons, grandson Gabriel Hoover, and great grandson Canaan Hoover.

Reverend Jerry Neeley will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and Autism Speaks and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Chapel 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347 Ft. Scott KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com