Mary Carolyn Allen was born July 24, 1951 in DeQueen, Arkansas. She was the first daughter of Cleavester and Mary Harris. Mary grew up in Valliant, Oklahoma. She became a Christian at an early age and later in life she became an ordained minister. She has an Associate degree in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Education. Mary lived an eclectic life. She served in the U.S. Army Reserves. She also worked as the News Editor of the Black Chronicle Newspaper and as a Supervisor at the Department of Public Safety. She also worked at the Salvation Army and for Tulsa Guthrie Job Corps. Mary alo enjoyed volunteer work and faithfully served at New Lfe Church, Logan County Medical Center gift shop and as President of Oklahoma Territorial Museum. During her lifetime she volunteered at various other organizations around the state of Oklahoma including the American Red Cross, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse. In addition to her parents, her husband Ronald E. Allen, her son Barry L. Taylor and four brothers preceded her in death. Family members left to cherish her memory include; two sons, William Harris & Thomas Taylor; one daughter Rena Tiajuana Taylor; two brothers, two sisters, three grandsons; four granddaughters; four great grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. Also missing her will be her constant companion Prince Jodi Robinson-Allen, her beloved pet.