Chrystelle Elizabeth Allen

Chrystelle Capps Allen passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2011. She was 82 years old.

She was born on May 5, 1928 to Charles Arthur Capps and Mamie Herndon Capps on the grounds of the Bok Tower Sanctuary and was present at the dedication of Bok Tower in 1929. Mrs. Allen attended school in Lake Wales and graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1946. She began her career with the telephone company in 1945 and retired as a service supervisor from GTE/Verizon in 1986.

A member of the Lake Wales Arts Council, Mrs. Allen served as treasurer and as chairman of the annual Art Show. In 2009, she received an honorary lifetime membership to the Lake Wales Arts Center. She was active in the First United Methodist Church of Lake Wales where she taught Sunday school and held several offices on the local and district level. She was also a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club and held every local office as well as offices on the district and state levels. She was on the Board of Director for the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, a member and volunteer for Good Shepherd Hospice, a member of the Polk County League of Women Voters, and a member and officer of the Lake Wales Women's Golf Association.

Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Charles A. Capps, Jr., brother, Gene T. Capps and sister, Henrietta Capps Herron. She is survived by her daughter, Theresa (Andy) Draper, granddaughter, Tara (Randy) Wheat and great-granddaughter, Chacea Elizabeth Wheat.

Memorial service will be held 3:00 PM, Friday, March 11, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Lake Wales with Rev. Jeffrey Kantz officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials of remembrance may be made to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or the United Methodist Women, 230 North Fifth Street, Lake Wales, FL 33853.