Anne Mills Allen passed from this life into the arms of the Lord on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
Anne was born in Arkansas City in 1953 to Malcolm and Mary Jane Mills and attended Ark City schools, playing girls tennis until graduation. She attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 1975 with a degree in psychology. Anne then matriculated at the University of California, Los Angeles, for a fifth year in primary education and to obtain her California teaching credential. While there, she met Doug Allen, her future husband, and they were married six months after their first date.
Anne began teaching elementary school, and Doug began work as a police officer in Southern California. Over the ensuing years, Anne finished a master’s degree as a reading specialist and had four children with Doug, who had finished his law degree. They had all sons: Nick, Peter and identical twins Alexander and John. Five grandchildren (and to her delight, three girls) followed.
Anne and most of the family moved back to Kansas in 2003 and settled in Parsons. She became the director of the Parsons Area Community Foundation and served for more than a decade. She was serving on the board of directors as vice president.
Anne enjoyed golf, bridge, travel, socializing, a bit of Prosecco and being involved in the Presbyterian Church and Chapter JE, PEO. Time spent with family was the most important and cherished by her.
Six years ago, she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and mounted a major and relentless battle against the disease right until the end a week ago. Due to the fine care given at M.D. Anderson Medical Center and locally, she had very few symptoms until the last six months and was blessed to be able to enjoy life with few restrictions.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her older brother; and two older sisters.
Her ashes will be interred at a private ceremony at the Arkansas City Cemetery near her family members.
A memorial service honoring her life will be in December in Parsons as Christmas was by far her favorite time of year. Dates and further details will be made available closer to Christmas.
If donations are desired, they may be made to the Parsons Area Community Foundation or the M.D. Anderson Medical Center in Houston, Texas, and may be left at or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS, 67357.
