The Ralph D. Allen Family - Family Histories

   Ralph D. and Jeffie (Ham) Allen moved with their family to Novice on January 1, 1942 from Bellflower, California, where they leased a 160 acre farm from Jeffie's uncle, Ural Drake. Both Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born and reared near Clyde in Callahan County. They were married on September 16, 1923 in Denton Valley, Callahan County. There are five children: Ralph Milton, born October 6, 1924; D. G., August 18, 1926; Atha Audrey, October 6, 1928; Nellie Ruth, April 1, 1931; and Doris Jean, January 16, 1934. The family farm, located 1½ miles south of Novice. was purchased from the Drakes on August 15, 1945. Ralph, now retired, was a farmer and rancher most of his life. He also worked many years as an oilfield roughneck and pumper and milked cows for dairies in California. Jeffie is a housewife, active member of the Novice Baptist Church, president of the Women's Missionary Union and was a partner in Nell's Fashions in Coleman.

     (1) Ralph Milton married Billie Jean Steakley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Steakley, on May 10, 1947 at Novice. Their children are: (1) Peggy Diane, born February 19, 1948, who married Roger Giba in 1966. Their children are: Darrell, January 5, 1968; Bryan, October 18, 1969; and Tonya Michelle, January 29, 1980. (2) Milton Don, January 25, 1949, married Vickie Vaughn in 1968. Their children are: Anissa, October 29, 1969; Don, January 23, 1971; and Tressa, February 17, 1973. (3) Pamela Jean, October 24. 1964. Milton served in the Army in Europe during World War II and in the occupation forces of Germany following the war, and was called back to active duty during the Korean Conflict. He worked many years as plant manager for oil companies; is a licensed Baptist minister; and is now owner of a meter company in Odessa and operates a ranch near Novice.

     (2) D. G. married (1) Jiggs Corbell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Corbell of old Silver Valley and Novice, on June 4, 1948. They have a daughter, Nancy, born November 29, 1949, who is married to John Hemphill, an attorney, in Marfa. D. G. married (2) Mary Sturges in January, 1976. Her daughter. Christine, lives in Odessa, and their children are Lynn and Ion. D. G. served in the Navy during World War II, worked many years in various oil field jobs; owned a wholesale toy distributorship in Sweetwater; owned grocery stores in Novice and Coleman. He was the Coleman Chamber of Commerce manager and now works for an oil field casing crew in Odessa and ranches near Novice.

     (3) Audrey married Billy R. Green, son of Erman (Hirsher) McFadin of Coleman, on May 28, 1949 (see George Hipsher). They have three children: (1) Bobby G., born December 19. 1950, who is a movie projectionist, carpenter and owner of an antique shop in Houston. (2) James Allen, November 11, 1952, married Debra Sartain in 1984 and they have one son. James works in building contracting in Austin. (3) Amy Jo, October 9, 1963, works for J. C. Penney Company and is a graduate of Brownwood Commercial College. Audrey worked many years as a beauty operator and owned Broadway Beauty Shop in Coleman: did factory work in Coleman, Winters, Ballinger and Brownwood; was a bookkeeper and is now a ranger for the State of Texas in Mineral Wells.

     (4) Nell married John Walthall on August 11, 1950 at Novice (see William L. Parker). They have three daughters: (1) Deborah Lynn, who married Edward Lee Gates. son of Mrs. Vena Bob Gates of Talpa. They have three children and live in Fort Worth, where Edward is a Doctor of Osteopathy (see Douglass-Spruce). (2) Denise Lanell is married to Jerry McDonald, son of Jackie and Ann (Arnold) McDonald of Coleman (see LeSueur-Sullivant). They have one son and live north of Glen Cove. Jerry is a drilling superintendent for Bandera Drilling Company and Denise manages The Carousel at Clyde. (3) Diana Lea married Leslie Dobbins Jr., son of Leslie and Christine Dobbins or Coleman. Les is employed by Dobbins Fina Station and Diana is manager of The Carousel in Coleman. John is an Engineer Technician for the State of Texas. Nell worked many years in bookkeeping and tax preparation as owner of W&W Bookkeeping and Tax Service and now owns three dress shops: Nell's Fashions and The Carousel in Coleman and The Carousel in Clyde. They live at White Chapel on the old Parker place.

     (5) Doris married (1) Bill Haas, son of Mrs. Verda Haas of Coleman, on January 23, 1953. They have three children: (1) Billie Jan, born September 11, 1953, married (1) Mike Steward and they have a daughter, Alyssa Kay, May 1, 1971; Jan married (2) Grady McRae and they have a daughter, Arkansas Kapri, November 20, 1982. They live in Houston where Jan is office nurse for Dr. J. D. Duke. (2) James Louis, November 24, 1954, works on a drilling rig in Houston. (3) Raylene, September 14, 1965, married Daniel Denny in October, 1983, and they live in Alief where Danny is a plumber and Raylene is a doctor's receptionist. Doris married (2) Dr. Jean D. Duke on January 18, 1973 and they live in Alief where Jean is in Family Practice and Doris is his office manager and also owner of an antique and depression glass business.