Catherine Ann "Katie" Allen

Catherine Ann “Katie” Allen, 93 of Stratford, passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11 o’clock in the morning on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Stratford with Pastor Michael Rinne officiating. A Private Graveside with be held at Stratford Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Stratford from 5 o’clock to 7 o’clock in the evening on Friday. Arrangements are under the direction of Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors.

Katie was born on January 7, 1929, in Conlen, TX to John and Willie Ester (Brown) Hester. She attended school in Conlen until the death of her mother and then moved to Stratford where she was raised by her great aunt Nannie Collins. After she graduated from Stratford High School as Valedictorian, Katie went on to attend West Texas State where she received her teaching degree. While at West Texas State she earned the title of Miss West Texas State and was also chosen to be The Sweater Girl.  She was united in marriage to Bill Allen on June 5, 1948, in Stratford; he preceded her in death in 2004. Katie loved working cattle with her daughter Kathy and was in many cattle partnerships.  She loved Jesus, her church, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, they were her life.  Katie was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Stratford.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Dwight Hester and wife Joy; sister: Billie Steel and husband John; brother: Dennison Hester; and Nannie Collins her great aunt who raise her.

Katie is survived by her children: Kathy Riffe and husband Bill of Stratford, TX, Carolyn Biegler and husband Jack of San Antonio, TX and Will Allen and wife Kim of Dalhart, TX; sister-in-law: Claudine Allen of Stratford, TX; grandchildren: Sasha Herlihy and husband Kevin, Lynz Hood and husband Michael, Merilee Barrios and husband Chris, Deidre Allen, Stone W. Tarver, Thomas Allen and wife Katie, Sam Allen, Ben Allen, Kate Allen; and 12 great-grandchildren. 

The family would also like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Ramona Rueda for the excellent care and compassion that was shown to Katie.

The family would like to suggest with gratitude that memorial be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 390, Stratford TX 79084.