Ann Cox Allen

Ann Allen, age 76, of Ocean Springs, passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2018. She was born on August 18, 1942 in Boyle, MS, and spent most of her early life in Jackson. She graduated from Murrah High School in 1960 and went on to study music and business at Millsaps College and Mississippi State College for Women (MSCW). She married A.L. (Al) Allen, Jr. in 1962, and they eventually settled in Ocean Springs, MS, where they raised their two sons and enjoyed an active community life here on the coast. Ann was a small business owner in Ocean Springs and had the distinction of serving as the first female president of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce, amid many other civic duties during the 1970’s and 1980’s. One of her main accomplishments was spearheading the effort to help establish the Peter Anderson Festival as one of the coast’s major annual attractions. She also made a long career in the O.S. medical community, having served as office manager of Gulf Coast Surgical and Diagnostic Center, P.A. for many years. Ann enjoyed living out her Christian faith with her family and was an active member of both First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs, and First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula. While at First Presbyterian in Ocean Springs, she was active in the chancel choir, and also taught Sunday school. In Pascagoula, she was instrumental in establishing the bereavement ministry, and enjoyed serving in this capacity for several years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. & Mrs. S.A. Cox, and her in-laws, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur L. Allen, Sr. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Arthur L. (Al) Allen, Jr., two sons, David (Kris) Allen and Mike (Lidia) Allen, four grandchildren, Kelsey Allen (Jonathan Ladnier), Sam Allen, Callie (Allen) Hornbuckle, and Erin (Dave) Neville; three great-grandchildren, Liam Ladnier, Charlie Hornbuckle, and Katharine Rose Hornbuckle; two sisters, Martha Brooks (Richard Larkin), Mary (Larry) McDaniel, and numerous nieces and nephews, in-laws, and extended family members and friends. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula, 1819 Pascagoula St, Pascagoula, MS 39567. Friends may visit one-hour prior to the service in the church. A luncheon will be held afterward in Schneider Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.