Ruby Lu Allen

February 3, 1934 - January 23, 2020

Ruby Lu Allen, age 85, entered into eternal peace on Thursday, January 23, 2020 peacefully at her home in Bluff City, Tenn. She was born on February 3, 1934 in Oto, Iowa, a daughter of the late Fred G. and Olive Lorraine (Stratton) Burgess. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Thad of 35 years; one grandson, Gary Theodore “Teddy”; two granddaughters, Tammy and Twyla Allen; three sisters, Bonnie Miller and husband Bill, Helen Norris and husband Jack, and Florence Davis and husband Carl; brother-in-law Morris (JR). Larson; three brothers, Walter Burgess and wife Marie, Gordon Dean Burgess and wife Iona, and Newel Burgess. Ruby was raised and attended school in Oto until third grade when her family moved to Onawa. On April 15, 1950, Ruby was united in marriage to Thaddeus “Thad” Allen in Onawa. To this union two children were born: Gordon Eugene and Gail Lynne. The family made their home in several communities while Thad worked for the railroad. During these years, Ruby was a homemaker. Thad died on November 8, 1985. Following Thad’s death, Ruby moved from Dunlap to Onawa. She continued making her home in Onawa until moving to Maryland to be closer to her daughter and then moved to Tenn. in November of 2019. Ruby enjoyed bowling, embroidering, crafts, fishing trips to Minnesota, working word search puzzles and mushroom hunting with her family. She is survived by her children, Gordon Allen, Sr. and wife Ronnie of Onawa, and Gail Hill and husband Rick of Bluff City, TN; three grandchildren, Franklin Morrison of Bluff City, Gordon Allen, Jr. and fiancé Sherrea Black of Onawa, IA, and Chrystal Gonzalez of LaVista, NE; two step grandchildren, Hank Hill and wife Monte Ann and Heather Turner and husband Michael, both of South Carolina; fifteen great grandchildren; one sister, Louise Larson of Sioux City, IA; one brother, George Oliver Burgess and wife Johanna of Arizona; one sister-in-law, Patty Burgess of Council Bluffs with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A memorial Service will be at 6:30 on Monday, January 27, 2019 at First Baptist Church in Bluff City, Tenn with Pastor Mike Pope officiating. The family requests your presence for finger foods after the memorial service. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Allen and her family have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory.