Gladys Guinn Allen

Gladys Guinn Allen, 94, of Houston, (formerly of Beaumont), died in her home January 5, 2026, surrounded by her family and friends. She was born in Port Arthur to Corrie Gladys Andrews Guinn of Troup and Leland Lee Guinn of Rusk.

She attended Thomas Jefferson High School until moving to Beaumont High where she graduated in 1949. She attended Lamar University until she married. Gladys then worked as a secretary for George Schaumburg’s engineering firm to put her new husband through Lamar State College of Technology until the arrival of her first child.

As a young mother raising two children, she supported her community and volunteered for organizations in which her family was involved. Gladys served her children’s schools in various roles, including President of Caldwood Elementary PTA. All this, while spending hours at her sewing machine making clothes for her children.

She instilled in her children a lifelong love of learning by her example and weekly summer bike rides to various libraries for their summer reading programs. Gladys also shared her love of the outdoors. She enjoyed camping, canoeing, and hiking. She did, in fact, hike the Appalachian Trail at age 90…At least fifty yards of it, anyway!

Gladys was also a lover of music and a season ticket holder at the Symphony of Southeast Texas and the Beaumont Community Players. Her home was filled with music! Strauss Waltzes, Bach and Beethoven were often on the turntable as well as the music of the theater. One of her favorites was ‘The Student Prince’. She was a little disappointed that the song most remembered by her children was the collegiate drinking song, “Let every true lover salute his sweetheart! Let’s drink!”

Later, at First United Methodist Church, she supported youth programs while her children were active. She taught Sunday school, served meals for the Methodist Youth Fellowship and joined Youth Choir tours as a chaperone.

After raising her children, she secured a Real Estate license and subsequently became the Real Property Manager for the City of Beaumont, where she was recognized by the State of Texas for exceptional performance. It came to the attention of state officials that the city’s rate of condemnation was only three percent, well below the state average of twenty percent during the expansion of Spur 380, today’s Martin Luther King Boulevard! This was a true testament of her heart for people being the basis of remarkable negotiating skills.

In 1983 she married the dashing former track star of Monticello High School, (Monticello, Arkansas) and Baylor University who was then a Lamar University Professor of Economics, Joel Lee Allen.  During their thirty-nine years of marriage they enjoyed travel, weekly dinners with the Lamar community, keeping fit at the Wellness Center, family gatherings and life together.

She remained an active member of First Methodist where she enjoyed singing in the Chancel Choir. She was so grateful for her seat in the Alto section, she took it upon herself to bake cakes for the monthly birthday celebrations of her fellow choir members. Gladys became known as the Cake Lady, bringing joy and recognition to many.

When the Chancel Choir decided to take their worship on the road and across the pond, she was always one of the first to register. She saw new worlds in the old one as the choir sang their way across Britain, Italy, Germany and Spain.

Gladys greatly enjoyed her service with the Estate Sale Committee of First Church, volunteering many hours while enjoying the camaraderie and support of that extended family. She was always on the lookout for family gifts, which were touted to have come from “Nordstrom’s”, with a twinkle in her eye!

Throughout her life she was known by her affectionate smile, a positive willing attitude, generous nature, and an irrepressible sense of humor.

Her parents and three brothers, Leland Andrew Guinn, David Crittenden Guinn, and Albert Lee Guinn preceded her in death as did her husband, Joel Allen.

She is survived by her daughter, Diane Howell Shaver (Don); her son, Scott Wayne Howell (Katie); step-son, Jimi Allen; her seven grandchildren, Scott Allen Shaver (Michael); Claire Shaver Day (Adam); Darrel Blake Shaver (Taylor); Corrie Howell Sturdivant (Matt); Travis Brownrigg Howell (Annie); Luke Thomas Howell; and Emmitt Ray Allen; and twelve great-grandchildren. We do not dare to omit mention of her loyal canine companions, Bailey and RazzmaTazz.

The family would like to acknowledge the dedicated service of her team of caregivers who helped her daily while safe guarding her dignity. They are Brandy Clark, Tina Ojeikere, Barbara Reed, Roeshaun Esco and Lisa Goodall.

A gathering of Mrs. Allen’s family and friends will be held Sunday, January 11, 2026, beginning at 2:00 p.m. with her funeral service at 3:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Pine Street, Beaumont.

The service will be livestreamed on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@firstumcbeaumont3122/.streams