Allene Middleton

Allene Middleton

September 10, 1946 - April 19, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Allene Middleton, affectionately known as "Doll," who departed this life peacefully in her sleep on April 19, 2025, at the age of 78. Allene was born on September 10, 1946, and she graced the lives of those around her with her gentle spirit, warm smile, and unwavering love for her family.

Allene’s journey began in Eagletown, Oklahoma. She was accepted Christ at a tender age and was baptized at S. Matthew Baptist Church. She was a 1964 graduate of Dunbar High School where she was an avid basketball player. After graduating from high school, she moved to Hot Springs with her brother Warren G. and worked at the bathhouses. Seeking further education, in the early 1960’s she moved to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to attend Henderson State University. She met one of Arkadelphia’s finest, Officer James Oliver Middleton. After an appropriate courtship they were married on May 15, 1972. Together they nurtured a beautiful family, blessed with two children, Darrell and Tanika. Allene embraced a role as a devoted “bonus” mother, and grandmother showering James's children with the same love and care she gave her own.

She was a faithful member of Gennesaret Baptist Church where she served with the WMU.

Allene was a retiree from Henderson State University whose career was marked with the personal highlight of both Darrell and Tanika graduating from HSU. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life, from fishing, which brought her peace, to indulging in her favorite meals at Texas Roadhouse. A gentle soul, she was known for her soft-spoken nature and her ability to remain slow to anger, embodying patience and compassion. Her love for cooking, shopping, and thrifting showcased her creative spirit and zest for life.

Family was paramount to Allene, and her nurturing essence will remain etched in the hearts of those who knew her. She preached self-respect, and respect for others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Fannie Polk George; her beloved husband, James O. Middleton; sisters, Emma Moore and Kizzie George Brown; a brother, Warren G. Polk; a daughter, Toni Smith; her close friend, Frances B. Middleton and Cory “Uncle Crust” Moore and Martha Moore.

She is survived by her children, Darrell D. (Nicole) Middleton of Arkadelphia, AR and Tanika L. (James) Flannigan of Arkadelphia, AR; Frances J. Middleton of Little Rock, AR; James H. (Trudy) Middleton, Jr. of Little Rock, AR; Frederick H. (Angela) Middleton of Arkadelphia, AR; Shelia M. Middleton of Hot Springs, AR; Beverly K. (Julian) Flowers of Las Vegas, NV; Belinda A. (Delton) Sanders of Little Rock, AR; Charles D. (Deidra) Middleton of Arkadelphia, AR; Stephanie A. (Harold) Bailey of Arkadelphia, AR; Selena J. (Jana) Middleton of Little Rock, AR; Kelvin Middleton of Hot Springs, AR, Etta (Ricky) McGhee of Memphis, TN and Teresa (Mitchell) Davis of Bryant, AR; her sister, Earline George Bates of Shreveport, LA; 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves her bonus children, Alvernon (Phyllis) Rogers, Brandon Hunter, Rev. Vernon R. and Ruby Moody and their family; close friends Jodie Mitchell, Erma L. Smith and Aundra Leeper as well as who loved her very dearly, a host of nieces, nephews, and the Gennesaret Baptist Church Family.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 25, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Gennesaret Baptist Church, followed by an evening with the family at 6:00 p.m. Services will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul AME Church with Rev. Charles D. Hood, eulogist and Rev. Roy Wesley, officiating. The interment will be at Springhill Cemetery-Clayborn Chapel Community.

As we gather to remember Allene, let us celebrate her beautiful spirit and the love she so freely shared with others. Although she may be gone, her memory will live on in our hearts forever.

The Pallbearers will be Robert Middleton, Brandon Middleton, Derrick Middleton, Patrick Nelson, Roderick Nelson and Kenyuan Morris. Honorary pallbearers will be James Middleton, Jr., Frederick Middleton, Charles Middleton, Harold Bailey, Delton Sanders, Julian Flowers, Lon Ware and Kenny Hamlin.