On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Lola Wayne (Murphree) Allen slipped from the bonds of these mortal coils to be in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her body is free from pain and her battle with cancer is no more.
Lola was born on October 4, 1949, to Millard and Inez Murphree of Pittsboro, MS. She was delivered inside the family home in Skuna Bottom in Calhoun County, MS.
Lola was a problem solver known for her sweet personality and intellect. Her siblings say she was the apple of her daddy’s eye. She was an avid Elvis fan and enjoyed collecting books, movies, and memorabilia about his life. Lola was a devout Apostolic and lived a holy life. Friends and family often asked her to intercede in prayer on their behalf. She was a faithful member of West Ingomar Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lola attended Mississippi College for Women in Columbus from 1967-68. In January 1974, Lola was hired by Mr. A.D. Spratlin of Spratlin Building Supply in Bruce where she worked for 12 years. She worked at Washington Furniture Manufacturing in Houlka and later served as an administrator at NEMS Health Care Clinic in Byhalia, MS. In 2021, Lola retired and celebrated 31 years of service as a staff accountant at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
Lola was a member of the National Red Hat Society in the Royal Sisterhood Official Charter. Her society name was Dame Delores. The group met once a month donning red and purple finery, wearing a red hat adorned with feathers and jewels. Lola was a faithful Red Hatter and truly enjoyed herself having fun and bonding with women of like faith.
Preceded in death were her father and mother, Millard and Inez (McKinney) Murphree, and one brother, Robert Ladean Murphree, one stepson-in-law, Rev. Terrell Permenter, and one great-granddaughter, Scarlett Jean Edwards.
Lola is survived by her husband, James Robert Allen of Pontotoc, to whom she was married for 29 years. She leaves behind one daughter, Dawn Mathis Jeter, and son-in-law, Rev. Clift Jeter of Tupelo, granddaughter Alana Rose Jeter, and grandson, Alex Jeter (Ellen), all from New Albany, MS; three sisters, Mary Katherine (Travis) of Byhalia, Barbara Ann Winter of Bruce, Betty Francis Crawford (Tom) of Hernando, and one brother Douglas Wade Murphree (Summer) of Pontotoc.
With a beautifully blended family, Lola gained two stepdaughters: Stephanie Edwards (Rusty) of Tupelo, MS, and Susan Permenter of Pontotoc, along with a stepson, Mark Allen (Sherry) of Ecru. She also welcomed five step-grandchildren: Tabitha Edwards, Allen Edwards (Kelsey), Amber Robinson (Chris), Amanda Parker, and Will Permenter (Bradyn). Riley Allen and Hunter Allen. Additionally, she was blessed with 13 beautiful great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Monday, April 7, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at West Pontotoc Pentecostal Church, Pontotoc, MS. A Celebration of Life service will follow the visitation with the Rev. Travis Montgomery and Rev. Alex Jeter. Pallbearers: Rick Blansett, Paul Blansett, Stephen Holston, Zack Jones, Caleb Starnes and Paul Starnes. Lola’s final resting place will be at Ingomar Cemetery. There will be no graveside service. Funeral services are under the direction of Tutor Memorial Funeral Home, Pontotoc, MS.
