Allene Garrison, 96, of Mason, Texas, passed away at Trinity Care Center in Round Rock, Texas on November 20, 2016.
She was born to Jack Raymond Alexander, Sr. and Mamie Allie (Carter) Alexander on March 2, 1920 in New Waverly, TX, the fourth of ten children.
Always a proud Texan, she was born on Texas Independence Day and spent the rest of her days proving how truly independent she was! Allene grew up in rural East Texas and developed an early love of all sports, especially baseball, and basketball which she played at Dayton High School.
On January 17, 1942, in Houston, TX, she married her Favorite Aggie: Otis Leroy Garrison, Class of ’39, and began life first as the wife of a ranch manager and later as an Air Force officer’s wife. While stationed in Waco, Tx, in 1950, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Donna and then their son, Roy Mack in 1951. In 1952 they received orders and moved their young family to various Air Force bases in Germany, allowing opportunities to visit many countries throughout Europe. In 1954, their daughter, Rhonda, was added to the family just six weeks before they returned to the States and settled in San Antonio. The family would later live in Illinois and South Dakota. Although these moves were often disruptive for the kids, Allene always reminded them that family came first and new adventures were just around the next corner. She was always involved in the their activities including PTA, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, fashion shows, booster clubs, bake sales, Jerry Lewis Backyard Carnivals, handmade Halloween costumes, and countless others. She was our loudest fan for baseball, softball, basketball, football, cross-country and track meets, the Soap Box Derby, cheerleading, band, and choir. Leroy retired from the Air Force in 1967, and the family moved to Childress, Texas, where they lived until coming to Mason in 1976. Allene quickly became involved with the First United Methodist Church of Mason, Women’s Golf Association, Order of the Eastern Star, Women’s International Bowling Congress, a bowling league in Fredericksburg, Weight Watchers, and volunteering at the Mason Senior Center which she continued until shortly before her death. Upon her husband’s death in 1981, Allene began the second chapter of her life. She traveled extensively around Texas and the nation attending bowling tournaments, often with her daughter, Rhonda, and sister, Janie Peeples, as a teammate and doubles partner. At the age of 87, she was forced to give up bowling, but she missed the “girls at the bowling alley” in Fredericksburg so much that she often drove down there on Wednesday mornings just to visit and eat lunch at Andy’s. As a 70-year old she travelled alone to visit her son, Mack, in Alaska where she rode in a dog sled. She drove all over the state of Texas visiting friends and family where ever they lived. Allene wore many hats: gardener; seamstress (sewing both of her daughters’ wedding dresses); carpenter, mechanic, exterminator, and navigator. She was known by many names: she was Renie to her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins. To us she was Mom. She was known as Nanaw by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and close friends. Her “Love Language” was giving: plant cuttings, seeds, free advice, satin pillowcases, brownies, cakes and pies. She will be remembered for her outgoing personality, her sense of humor, fearlessness, and her contagious laugh. We will miss you, Mom. And we’ll always LOVE YOU MORE.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brothers: H.D., Johnny, Jackie, Louis, Gene, and Jerry; her sisters: Oma Dee (Sister), Janie, and Louise.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Donna (Garrison) Harthcock and husband, Britt of Round Rock, TX; Roy Mack Garrison and wife, Suzan of Reno, NV; Rhonda (Garrison) Hanson and husband, John Paul of Bryan, TX. Grandchildren: Britt Harthcock and wife, Meredith; Brooke (Harthcock) House and husband, Cody; Stephanie (Hanson) Wilson and husband, Patrick; Michael Garrison and wife, Stephanie; Melissa Garrison; Lisa (Hanson) Snyder; Laura (Hanson)Shelby and husband, Andrew; Richard May and wife, Renee. Great-grandchildren: Sophie and Drew Harthcock; Chase, Reese, Hayley, and Millie House; Lilianna Garrison; Paul and Trent Snyder; Amber and Jordan Shelby; Nicholas, Madison, Ethan and Jordan. Great-great grandchildren: Rylee, Efrain, Joey, Isaiah, Isabel Sisters-in-law: Joyce Alexander, Dorothy Alexander, and Lora Bea Garrison; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.