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Betty Ruth Spurgeon Allen, age 94, of Long Beach, MS, passed away on April 18. 2025, at the Center for Family Life, Ext. Care in Long Beach.
Betty was born on June 7, 1930, in Water Valley, MS, to Homer and Mary Williams Spurgeon. She graduated from Water Valley High School and was crowned Miss Water Valley in 1948. She went on to compete in the Miss Mississippi pageant, where she was voted “Cutest Girl”.
Betty met her husband, William, while on a double date – he was actually with the other girl! They fell madly in love and married three weeks later. The lived in married housing at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS, where their first son was born in nearby Water Valley. The family later moved to Puckett, MS, when William got a job with Firestone. They continued their journey to Houston, TX, then to New Orleans, where their second was born.
Eventually, William’s father encouraged them to return to Mississippi and helped him open a Ford dealership in Mendenhall. It was there that Betty gave birth to two daughters, one in Mendenhall and one in Jackson. After William’s passing, Betty relocated to Long Beach, MS to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She moved to the Coast just four months before Hurricane Katrina.
She is survived by her 3 children, Joe Allen (Deb), Charles Allen, and Marcie Bush (Dewayne); her six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, William Allen, and a daughter, Andrea Allen.
Reimann Family Funeral Home in Long Beach is handling arrangements. A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, on Saturday April 26, 2025, at Unity of Gulfport, 1700 E. Railroad St. Gulfport, MS 39501, A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 12:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745.
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Allen family,
Just found out that Betty had passed away. What a great lady she was— loved her dearly all my life . The last time I saw her was as Covid was winding down and we spoke thru her glass doorway. She was such a big part of my life even tho we didn’t get to visit often as the years passed. I always thought of Betty as a second Mama should I need anything,
Kent and I both remember her fondly and are grieving for your loss.
I’m not sure you will ever see this message but wanted to reach out. Your family has always been so special to me. Love you all…
Tina Usry Mabry