With family by her side, gospel music playing in the background, and the 23rd Psalm being read to her, Bonnie Sue Allen, 80, of Jackson passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born April 27, 1939, in Canalou, Missouri, to Cleadth "Bud" and Beulah Cullins Newman. She was a 1957 graduate of Sikeston (Missouri) High School.

She and Jerry Allen were married Dec. 25, 1958, in Sikeston. Theirs was a true, lifelong love affair. Bonnie Sue thoroughly enjoyed the way Jerry spoiled her, and he was always proud to do so. Jerry and Bonnie resided many years in Sikeston. They were active members of Miner Baptist Church, where Bonnie taught Sunday school many years. She even taught the Rev. Jim Matthews, who is officiating her memorial service. Bonnie also worked many years, as needed, as an election officer in Sikeston.

Bonnie and Jerry wintered 20 years in the Florida Keys before permanently moving to Lake Placid, Florida, in 2005. Bonnie enjoyed their years in Florida and volunteered many years at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key. They returned to Missouri in September 2012. They had been married 54 years when Jerry passed away March 1, 2013.

Survivors include three daughters, Sandy (Chris) Townsend and their grandson, Beau of Lockwood, Missouri; Dee (Randy) Seabaugh of Jackson; and Joanna (Brian) Gray of Pittsburgh; six grandchildren, Crissy (Justin) Cox and children, Grace and Tennessee of Eureka, Missouri, Trey (Casey) White and sons, Drew and Hudson of Catron, Missouri, Cory Seabaugh of Jackson, Casey (Jeremy) Meystedt and son Corbyn of Jackson, Brianna (Chase) Silvers and son Owen of Columbus, Ohio, and Joseph Gray of Henderson, Kentucky; four siblings, Barbara (the late Richard) Taul of Jackson, Joe Wayne (Betty) Newman of Memphis, Tennessee, John Wayne (Sharon) Newman of Sikeston and Phyllis Lewis of Jackson; a brother-in-law, Jim (the late Carolyn) Allen of Sikeston; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

A memorial visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Bonnie will be laid to rest privately with Jerry at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

For memorials, consider the Dolphin Research Center, 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL 33050.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.