Allen enjoyed life with large family

According to Elberta Allen, she was the perfect child and she said good-bye to the world on the perfect day.

On May 22,1929, Elberta was born on a farm in Portales, the seventh born of 18 children (seven boys, 11 girls). Elberta’s Christian belief was that seven meant perfection, therefore making her perfect. Proving her point, Elberta died at the age of 75 on Aug. 7, in her home.

Allen, known as Bert, lived a full life of compassion and selfless love. Her most prized possessions were not material, rather it was her relationship with God and the love of her family that made her a wealthy woman richly remembered.

“Growing up in a large family is part of the reason we have such a close family even today,” said Evelyn Combs, Elberta’s sister. “When we were younger, every Sunday our family would gather together and play baseball. By the end of the game all the kids in the neighborhood would have gathered together joining in on the fun.

“We were a family that always did things together which is why we are so knit together,” Combs continued.

On July 19, 1947, Elberta married O.M. “Mack” Allen in Clovis. They had two children — Sherry Street of Alamogordo and Donny Mack Allen, who died in 1975.

In 1989 Elberta retired from Barclays American, a financial lending company, but remained a part of the community through volunteer work. She attended Emmanuel Baptist Church and helped with their outreach program among other things. She also enjoyed crocheting.

“Never wanting anyone to feel left out, she made gifts for family and friends regardless of the occasion, but she was thrifty,” said Pat Dodson, Elberta’s niece. “She felt that if something didn’t have at least two uses then you were being wasteful.”

Elberta’s family said that with her high moral standards and strong will, she always gave her best and encouraged others to do the same.

“She wasn’t looking for someone who would brag about her work,” Dodson said. “Rather, she believed in doing the best job whether someone was watching you or not because a job worth doing is worth doing well.”

Elberta had a humorous side to her personality. She loved to laugh and play jokes on those close to her.

“You knew what was behind that smile when you looked at her,” said John Combs, Elberta’s nephew. “She was always thinking of how she was going to get someone back.”