Jimmie Lynn Allen

Jimmie Lynn Allen was born August 19, 1932 in Murchison, Texas to John Early (Red) Taylor and Mable Owens Taylor. She left this life for her heavenly Home on April 8, 2016, after a brave battle with a lengthy illness.

She was raised in Murchison and attended Murchison schools through the eighth grade. She graduated from Athens High School at 16, married, and moved to Athens. At 18, she went to work at First National Bank of Athens. Lynn started in bookkeeping, working her way through every department, and eventually became Executive Vice President and on the board.

During her 29 years at First National, Lynn was involved in many civic and philanthropic organizations in Athens. She was the first woman President and board member of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, President of the Athens Business & Professional Women, on the Texas State Board of the Business & Professional Women's Club and District Director, chairman of the East Texas group of National Association of Bank Women, member of the Pilot Club of Athens, on the board of the Athens Industrial Foundation, on the board of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce and the East Texas Bank Administrative Institute.

While working at First National, she attended commercial lending school at Oklahoma State University. She was a certified commercial lender by the American Bankers Association and graduated from Banking School of the South at Louisiana State University.

In 1980 she became Executive Vice President of American National Bank of Plano, and subsequently was promoted to President. While in Plano, she served on the Board and as Treasurer of the Plano Chamber of Commerce, the Plano Symphony, the Dallas Chapter of BAI, and the organizing board of the City of Plano Economic Development Company.

In 1987 she returned to Athens as President and CEO of Bank of Athens where she quickly became involved again in serving Athens. She served as President and Chairman of the Athens Chamber of Commerce again, President of the Athens Industrial Foundation, Chairman of the Henderson County Cancer Association, Chairman of the Henderson County United Way Board, on the Board of East Texas Medical Center and East Texas Arboretum, Keep Athens Beautiful, President of the Central Business Association, President of the Listeners' Club, and a member of the Rotary Club.

Lynn was a member of the organizing committee to establish the Athens Economic Development Board, and served on the original board and later served as President for a number of years. She was also on the board of the Rainbow Room.

Lynn had the honor of being named Athens' Citizen of the Year due to her many years of community service, work for the city, and friendship with the people of Athens. Most recently Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught issued a proclamation that March 28, 2016 would be designated as Lynn Allen day in Athens.

During all these years of hard work and community service, she still found time to play duplicate bridge and was a Silver Life Master. Lynn was a member of the First Baptist Church, Athens for over 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Bob Allen; father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Taylor; sister and brother-in-law, Earline and Albert Hobbs; and granddaughter, Leslie Keepers.

Lynn is survived by her daughter, Kyle Barton Planas and husband, Santi, of Rockwall; granddaughter, Taylor Lord, husband, Josh, and daughter, Zara, of Dallas; granddaughter Haley Planas and daughter, Shayley, of Plano; granddaughter, Torey Planas of Dallas; son Chris Allen, and wife, Carol, of Houston; granddaughter Paige Walker, husband, Dan, and son Jack, and granddaughter, Ginger Eisinger, husband, Chris, and children Ian and Peyton of The Woodlands; granddaughter, Kriket Sitka, and children Dylan and Sloane of Austin; granddaughter, Paige Hansen, husband, Mark, and children McKala, Logan, Jake and Ryder of Austin; and granddaughter, Blakely Kemp and husband, Peter, of Dallas; niece, Janelle Bowland and family of Athens; nephew Dan Hobbs and family of Naperville, Illinois; and many other extended family members. She is also survived by many Bridge, Lizard, and Listener friends, and a very dear friend of over 50 years, Bari Hart of Athens. A special thank you to Dr. Ted Mettetal and Bristol Pathways for their compassionate care, as well as Carmen Rodriquez for her many years of devoted service.

In lieu of flowers, Lynn requested donations to the Henderson County Humane Society or the charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 2PM Friday, April 15th at the First Baptist Church, Athens, with Dr. Joe Warren officiating. A private family burial will be held at the Athens City Cemetery on Friday morning.