Verla Maurine Allen

Verla Maurine Oldham Allen passed away peacefully with her family at her side, on March 9, 2016, at her home in Long Beach. Verla was born in Coalgate, Oklahoma to Oliver and Julia Oldham. She graduated from Alva High School in Alva, Oklahoma, in 1938. She attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University), in Still Water, Oklahoma, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, in 1942. While attending college, she met Marvin Richard Allen. After both graduated in 1942, Marvin entered World War II by joining the U.S. Army Air Corp. Verla taught high school. Marvin returned from the war in 1945 and they were married in Still Water, Oklahoma. While starting a family, both worked on their Masters degrees and earned them in 1950. Verla received a Master of Science in Home Economics. Both continued to teach until they moved their family of three children in Long Beach in 1952. Verla was hired as a Home Economics teacher at Downey High School, in 1952. A fourth child was born in Long Beach in 1953. Verla continued to teach in Downey until her retirement, in 1984. After Marvin's passing in 1985 Verla continued to work as a Substitute Teacher for Downey Unified School District, into her 70's. She is survived by her son, Stephen Allen; daughters Linda James, Judi Overturf, Susan Owenby; 7 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren. Her 95 years were filled with a lot of love and giving. She was a most Loving and Caring person who will be dearly missed by her family and all that knew her.

Services will be held at Cypress Forest Lawn Church of Our Fathers on Saturday, March 26 at 9:00 a.m. The doors will be open at 8:30 a.m. The viewing will be on Friday, March 25, 5pm- 9pm, at Cypress Forest Lawn.