Obituaries

Myrtle Rose Bryant Allenbaugh

Photo of Myrtle Rose Bryant Allenbaugh
Myrtle Rose Bryant Allenbaugh, 90, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 14, 2012. Myrtle was born on December 23, 1921, to C.O. and Hellon Bryant in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a member of Parkway Place Baptist Church and attended the Presbyterian church for years. Sparked by a desire to see the world, at the ripe old age of 25, Myrtle pursued an opportunity that led her on a journey to a devastated, war-torn Europe to work at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. Myrtle was the secretary to the chief prosecutor on the Foreign Office Trial, Dr. Robert Kempner. During this time, her dream to see the world was more than fulfilled. She rode a camel in Egypt while touring the pyramids. She toured the Pitti Palace art gallery in Florence with the American actor Gene Kelly. She was in Prague the night before the Russians closed the border and watched as the Czech people begged the Americans not to leave. And these were just a few of her adventures. After the Foreign Office Trial concluded, Myrtle turned down a job offer with the U.S. Embassy in Paris to return home to Memphis, where she met and married the love of her life, Fred Allenbaugh. Her exciting life of traveling was far from over. She and Fred lived in a log cabin in Alaska before making their way to Puerto Rico, which landed her right off of the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. They also called Texas, Kansas and Massachusetts home before returning to Memphis, where she was active in the community. She assumed leadership roles in a variety of organizations, including the Girl Scouts and her church. She sewed beautifully and got great joy from using her talent to make stuffed animals for children in need. In addition to her parents, preceding her in death were her husband, Fred Allenbaugh, and son, Frederick Samuel Allenbaugh. She is survived by daughter, Nancy Puddephatt and her husband, Bill; grandson, Will Puddephatt; granddaughter, Caroline Puddephatt; and sister, Mary Elizabeth Schmit of Atlanta. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, May 18, 2012, at Parkway Village retirement center on Chenal in the chapel. Arrangements are by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, (501) 224-8300. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202. Myrtle was a strong, intelligent woman whose sense of humor and fun always uplifted those around her. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

Published May 17, 2012

Upcoming Events