She was born in Gettysburg, Pa. to the late Adam J. Myers, Sr. and the late Amanda E. Myers. She graduated from Gettysburg High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Education degree from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State).
She inspired hundreds of young people throughout her long and distinguished teaching career which began in Princess Anne, Maryland. It was in Maryland that she met fellow educator Dr. Marcus Allen. They were married in 1953.
In 1958, when her husband was hired as professor of French at Morgan State University, they moved to Baltimore where she was a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and an active member of the Faculty Wives at Morgan.
In 1966, when her husband was recruited to establish the French section of the Department of Modern Languages at the newly formed University of Missouri-St. Louis, they moved to University City where she continued her teaching career at Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School (formerly Daniel Boone Elementary School), and at Flynn Park Elementary School where she also served as Teacher-in-Charge and later as Acting Principal. She also served as a district-wide reading specialist in the public and parochial schools.
In 1987, she was awarded Merit Teacher status in the School District of University City, was selected as the district’s Teacher of the Year, was one of 10 finalists for the State of Missouri Teacher of the Year, and was nominated Economic Educator of the Year by the Center of Economic Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
After retiring from teaching in 1990, she tutored students at Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School for 27 years until the age of 92. In 2015, she was recognized by the School District of University City for 40 years of service and her many contributions to education in the district.
She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion for 57 years serving two terms on the Vestry, eight years as a church-school teacher, four years as church- school superintendent, and 10 years on the archives committee.
In addition, she was a past President of the Circle in the Square Quilters, and a former board member of the University City Residential Service and the Citizen’s Committee for University City Schools.
She also was a member of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War serving as Patriotic Instructor and Press Correspondent for the St. Louis Julia Dent Grant Tent #16, and was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
An avid genealogist, she documented her family’s history dating back to her maternal great-grandfather who was born in 1780, four years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
She is survived by her daughter, Diane Willingham (Mark), granddaughter Amanda Willingham, cousin Cornelius Beaden, and a host of nieces, nephews, chosen family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Marcus Allen, and by siblings John Henry Myers, Adam Jerome Myers, Jr., Lewis Horace Myers, Charles Thomas Myers, and Rachel May Myers Pressley.
A memorial service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 7401 Delmar, University City, MO 63130 on Jan.11, 2025, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Marcus Allen Memorial Scholarship at the University of Missouri-St. Louis or to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion.
Mary Allen was a crowning jewel in the School District of University City. She inspired and mentored a number of great educators in the District. It is indeed an honor to have worked with her.