Graveside services for Lillian Ella Allison, 97, of Conway, OK, are at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Five-Mile Cemetery, east of Ada, Rev. Richard Bailey will officiate.

Mrs. Allison passed away of natural causes on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Brookdale Assisted Living Center in Ada. She was born August 16, 1923 in Pelly, Texas to William Henry and Carolyn Myrtle Crawford Darby.

She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Baytown, TX in 1941, then took courses at Lee College in Baytown. She was the secretary at Anson Jones Elementary School in Baytown for five years.

She married the love of her life, Perry Wade Allison, November 15, 1947 in Bakersfield, CA. He preceded her in death June 29, 1968. They resided in Conway, OK for two years before moving to Baytown, TX where they lived until returning to Conway in 1965.

Mrs. Allison had worked for Ruth Rader Daycare Center in Ada as a childcare provider until her retirement. She was a longtime member of Lovelady Baptist Church.

Mrs. Allison was creative and artistic, especially portraits. She wrote poetry, often personalized for family and friends. She once sent a poem to a former president who responded by sending a thank you note.

As the matriarch of the family, her home was the gathering place for many holiday events. As the mother and wife of a Chickasaw husband and family, she stayed devoted and supportive of the tribe. She loved her home-life, she loved her family deeply and enjoyed the simplicities of life.

As a devoted Christian, she stood strong in her beliefs.

Survivors include her two children, Robert Allison, Conway, OK, and Tanya Allison of Frederick, MD; her grandchildren, Heath Allison, Chad Allison and wife Sarah, Tandi Ray and husband Allen, and Calvin Wade Allison; her great-grandchildren, Tristan Allison, Daryn Allison, Peyton Ray, Kyler Ray,  Dusty Ray and Levi Allison; two great-great-grandchildren; and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, William Don Allison; and her siblings, Victor Darby, Lela Baker, Conrad Darby and Pearl Darby.

Honorary bearers will be Heath Allison, Chad Allison, Calvin Allison, Tristan Allison, Dusty Ray and Kyler Ray.

The family says those who wish may make memorials to: Traditions Hospice (formerly Faith Hospice), 2407 W. Wrangler Blvd., Seminole, OK 74868.