Teeny (Ernestine) Allen lived ninety-five years full of love, laughter, and hugs. Teeny was born on November 10th, 1930, in Britton, Oklahoma, to Reverend Ernest and Pearl Armstrong. As a younger sister to two brothers, Kenneth and Del, she always wondered why she was the one named after her dad, Ernest.
Teeny’s dad was a pastor, church planter, and evangelist, moving the family 17 times by the time she was 17 years old. When Jim and Teeny built their house on Greenwich Lane, she had already lived in 27 different homes and declared she wasn’t moving again! And she didn’t, until she moved home to heaven.
Teeny attended Pasadena Nazarene College (now called Point Loma Nazarene University), earning her degree in Home Economics. Her first teaching job was in New Mexico, where she taught home economics, history, science, and English and worked with the sports program. She moved to Modesto in 1953 to teach fifth grade at Garrison Elementary School. Teeny worked in various schools in Modesto for 45 years (even though she tried retiring a time or two) as a teacher, reading specialist, counselor, resource teacher, cheerleading advisor, and student advocate. She kept in touch with many of her former students and colleagues throughout her life. She worked for the family business until she was ninety, when she retired for the final time.
Teeny was very active at Modesto Covenant Church. She enjoyed leading and singing in the choir, working with youth, serving as a deaconess, and starting a Monday-morning coffee fellowship at her home. She took up bowling in her mid-sixties, after decades of thinking she had no athletic ability. After injuring her right arm, she taught herself to bowl left-handed so she could continue playing with her beloved bowling community.
Teeny loved the Lord and served Him well throughout her life, influencing and inspiring countless others to trust in Him. She was known for her storytelling, her hugs, her compassion, and her generosity. Teeny mothered and mentored many, sharing her love with family, friends, and strangers alike.
Teeny was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Jim Allen, and both of her brothers. She is survived by her children, Mike and Sandi; grandchildren, Michelle (Michael), Lisa, and Skylar; and one very special great-grandchild, Asher.
Teeny’s “Party”, AKA Celebration of Life, will be held at the Modesto Covenant Church, 913 Floyd Ave, Modesto CA 95350 at 2:00 PM PDT on Saturday, May 23. A live broadcast and a recording can be found at https://www.TeenyAllen.com
In lieu of flowers please send all donations to Bonita Park, 200 Bonita Park Rd., Angus, NM, 88316, (575)336-4404.
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