Betty S. Allen

Betty Ruth Spurgeon Allen, age 94, of Long Beach, MS, passed away on April 18. 2025, at the Center for Family Life Extended 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.

Betty- affectionately known as Aunt Lucy, Betty Ruth, of Grandma- was a dedicated homemaker who raised four children, along with many "adopted" ones. She had a true gift for hospitality. Her favorite pastime was cooking; she always had a meal ready for anyone who stopped by. In later years, she loved eating out and proudly made it her mission to try every restaurant in Long Beach. She also enjoyed reading, playing canasta, watching Ole Miss sports, listening to Ray Charles, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Joe Allen (Deb), Charles Allen, and Marcie Bush (Dewayne); her grandchildren, Alice Williams (Josh), Aimee Allen (Dylan Ballard), Andrew Allen, Kate Phillips (Spencer), Trace Bush, and Gracie Bush (Emily Stewart); and her great-grandchildren, Gavin Allen, Gabby and Griffin Williams, Porter and Kailan Phillips. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. 

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, William Allen, and her daughter, Andrea Allen; her brothers, George Spurgeon and Homer Spurgeon; and her sisters, Jacquelyn Goodwin/Parks, Mary Lou French, Drusilla Holmes, and Joann Beale. 

The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the PCU and 7th Floor nurses at Gulfport Memorial Hospital, Arden Hospice, and especially to the staff at the Center of Family Life. A special thank-you to our angel, Gusta, for the loving care she gave our mom. 

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.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is honored to serve the Allen family.