Donna-Mai Allen Obituary (1927

Donna-Mai Allen, formerly of Newbern, AL passed away peacefully on June 7, 2021 at the age of 93. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee on August 20, 1927 to the late Estelle Kenney and James Quinn Dillard. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Bryant Lee Allen III. Donna-Mai moved to Huntsville, AL as a young child and graduated from Huntsville High School. She attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in 1950. She later received her Master of Arts in Library Science in 1965. After marrying Bryant Lee in 1951, she taught English at Greensboro High School and later became the librarian. They moved to Montgomery, AL in 1966. She was the librarian for Ramer School, Huntingdon College, and Montgomery Academy where she worked for 20 years before retiring. One of her favorite responsibilities was being the golf coach at MA. After she retired, she and Bryant Lee moved to Tuscaloosa, AL in 1998. Donna-Mai was an enthusiastic collector of many things. The largest was her elephant collection which numbered in the hundreds. Her talented mother taught her the love of handwork. Donna-Mai was a skilled seamstress, knitted hundreds of sweaters, created numerous needlepoint items, and smocked many adult and children's pieces of clothing. In retirement, she worked in a french hand sewing shop and continued to sew and hand embroider outfits, especially for her grandchildren. Donna-Mai enjoyed reading, exercising, traveling with Bryant Lee, finding something for Bryant Lee to build, and gardening. She always had flowers in the house. She enjoyed being a member of social clubs, sewing clubs, and bible study. She loved the Episcopal church where she was an active parishioner and member of altar guild. Her 2 grandchildren were her greatest joy and she was at her happiest when with them. She was a lifelong and passionate fan of Alabama football. Donna-Mai is survived by her children Bryant Lee Allen IV (Shelley) of Bradenton, FL, Nancy Jane Edge (David) of Atlanta, her beloved grandchildren John Dillard Lee Edge and Caroline Ragna Edge both of Atlanta, her sisters-in-law Anne Allen Jay of Newbern, Jane Allen Hewitt (Gene) of Louisville, KY, Serena Arrington Allen of Newbern and several nieces and nephews. Special thanks goes to the Capstone Village community in Tuscaloosa where she lived for 4 years and the loving care of Annie Franklin and Geraldine Merritt. A graveside memorial will be held on June 18, 2021 at 11:00 at the Newbern Cemetery with Kelley Hudlow officiating and Kirk Funeral Homes, Greensboro chapel directing. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 605 Lurleen Wallace Boulevard North, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 or to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 (alz.org)