Ivy Rea Aycock Allison
March 26, 1925 ~ June 10, 2006
With a sense of adventure, a love for good books, and an unconditional love for her family, Ivy Rea Aycock Allison was a fun-loving brown-eyed girl who grew up to be a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. Born in Hughes Springs, Texas to Opal Augustus and Amma Nan Barfield Aycock on March 26, 1925, Ivy was one of five children who loved playing along the creek and under the sycamore trees of the family farm. After graduating from Hughes Springs High School and Tyler Business School, Ivy married her high school sweetheart, John Chalmage Allison in 1943. Their life together was one of adventures and partnership. During World War II Ivy followed John to Biloxi, Mississippi, working as a secretary on the base while he was stationed there. After the war, Ivy supported her husband while he completed his engineering degree at the University of Houston. Ivy and John had their first child while they lived in temporary housing on the campus of the university. Later Ivy became a fulltime homemaker, creating a loving home for her three children and John. She loved family traditions, especially family reunions and Christmas gatherings. On her mantel at Christmas hung a stocking for each family member, a collection that eventually reached 16 as her children married and grandchildren arrived. In 1958 Ivy worked as an executive secretary at Thiokol Chemical Corporation when the family moved to Marshall, Texas. In 1962, after the moved to Dallas, Ivy was secretary to the chaplain of Southern Methodist University. In addition to being an exceptional typist, Ivy was adept at shorthand, now a lost art. Even today, a note written in shorthand might be found tucked away in one of Ivy’s favorite books. Ivy was always a writer, regularly writing letters to loved ones and sometimes, stories for her grandchildren. In the days when long-distance was prohibitively expensive and emails did not exist, Ivy might write a letter every day to share family news and maintain family connections. Her letters included postcards she would send when she and John traveled to major U.S. cities, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. In 1988 they traveled through France, Germany, and London embracing many adventures along the way. Ivy never met a stranger, so even in places far away she made new acquaintances. Throughout her life, Ivy was active in church life. She and John are still members of the Highland Park Methodist Two X Two Class in Dallas, Texas. Known simply as “Ivy” to her eight grandchildren, she was the quintessential grandmother. She loved rocking her grandchildren, singing lullabies, and telling them stories. She was a willing playmate, always making them laugh, and they loved her from the very beginning. Today, Ivy’s two great-grandchildren read books she purchased for her children and grandchildren. Her great-granddaughter bears her name. On June 10, 2006 Ivy went to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, sisters Frances Green and Laverne Hull and brother, John M. Aycock. She is survived by her husband John of Fort Worth, her sister, Nancy Aycock Pedersen of Hughes Springs; daughters Pamela Barger and Deborah Grant, and son John Thomas Allison; sons-in-law Ray Barger and Dr. David Grant; daughter-in-law Anna McCall Allison; her grandchildren: Stephanie LaFlamme and Greg Barger; Allison, Amanda, and Carolyn Grant; Elizabeth, Meredith, and Kathleen Allison; her great-grandchildren: Alexander and Ivy LaFlamme. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in the name of Ivy Allison to The Alzheimer’s Association, 101 Summit Avenue #300, Ft. Worth TX 76102.
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Ivy Rea and Chalmage were good friends of my parents Bill and Carla McCain in Avinger. I recall visiting them in Houston as a child and seeing them in my folks' home over the years. I loved Ivy Rea – she was beautful, funny and a great dancer. I will miss this lovely lady very much.