Mary Anne Pitts Allen, 88, died peacefully on June 3, 2019 at her home in Indianola. Visitation will be at Mary Anne’s home from 4 to 6 on Thursday, June 6, 2019. A celebration of her life will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Friday, June 7, 2019 at 3 p.m., with burial to follow at Indianola City Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Indianola.
Mary Anne, the daughter of Thomas Mitchell and Judah Ruth Brandon Pitts, was born July 25, 1930, in Indianola. She attended Indianola High School and Mississippi College for Women before graduating in 1952 from Millsaps College, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. She taught elementary school in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, before returning to Indianola to marry David Sledge Allen in 1954.
Mary Anne was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and a dear friend to all who knew her. She enjoyed playing tennis, the flute, and board games, as well as bicycling and traveling with friends and family. As a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church for over sixty years, she was actively involved in church life and in the Episcopal Church Women. She and her husband were early and engaged participants in the Cursillo movement, an involvement that was both inspiring and enriching. An excellent bridge player, Mary Anne cherished her bridge club friends and was instrumental in supporting the duplicate bridge club at St. Stephen’s Church.
After her husband’s early death in 1992, Mary Anne found solace and community with her fellow Bayou Drive widows and her many treasured longtime friends. For over twenty years, she enjoyed traveling all over the United States, Mexico, and Canada with her dear friend and travel companion, Ed Traweek. She always embraced visiting new places and meeting new people.
Above all, Mary Anne loved spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed being Mimi to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren have fond memories of visits to Mimi’s house, especially at Christmas, when, every year, the extended family gathered at her home. Mimi was the consummate grandmother: loving, attentive, and always a ready and willing playmate and participant in the grandchildren’s activities. She was their biggest fan, traveling near and far to attend concerts, plays, and sporting events, and to celebrate christenings, bar mitzvahs, graduations, and weddings. She was an unwavering presence in their lives, a source of wisdom and comfort, and a model of grace. In the last year of her life, having her great-granddaughter Walker as a regular visitor brought her immense joy.
In the last chapter of her life, Mary Anne met the challenges of the decline and debilitation brought on by Parkinson’s disease with dignity and determination. She strived to continue living her life as fully and joyfully as possible. She was blessed during this time with the constant and loving support of her family, her friends, and especially her devoted caregivers.
Mary Anne was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother, William Mitchell Pitts. Her spirit remains with her children Terrell Anne Allen (Marc Levin); Judith Pitts Allen Alexander (Michael); David Baird Allen (Susan); and Dorothy Brandon Allen Huoni (Michael). She is also survived by her grandchildren Brandon Levin (Ragini Srinivasan); Nathan Levin; Josh Levin; Michael Alexander, Jr.; Caite Alexander; Lucy Alexander; Mary Chandler Allen Neal (Tyler); Baird Allen; and James Michael Huoni, Jr.; and her great-grandchildren Mrinalini and Shai Levin-Srinivasan and Walker Neal.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1004, Indianola, MS 38751 or the Indianola Academy, P.O. Box 967, Indianola, MS 38751.