Rebecca Tuck Miller Allen was born on July 23rd, 1923, and passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2020, at the age of 97.  The daughter to the Reverend Robert Anderson (R. A.) Tuck — one of the founders of First Baptist Church of Centre — and stepdaughter to Jodie Tuck, Rebecca graduated from Judson College and married Harold Vance Miller on March 10, 1944 (pictured) in a quick South Dakota ceremony just before her new husband deployed with the US Air Force to fight in WWII. 

After his return, Rebecca and Harold moved to Pollard’s Bend in Leesburg to raise their new son, David, while Rebecca remained active in her community, serving as a Cherokee County teacher who’s still remembered fondly by former students.  After becoming a widow when Harold was taken at the age of 48 by lymphoma on May 22, 1971, Rebecca worked for years as executive assistant to the president of Cherokee County Bank in Centre. 

In recent years, both before and after her second marriage in 2001 to Ed Allen Sr. of Centre, Rebecca’s work in public service continued, next under the Cherokee County Department of Human Resources, then as a clerk for the City of Centre, while she continued volunteering — visiting patients in Cherokee County Health & Rehab, and playing piano for Sunday services at Moshat Baptist Church.  After Ed’s passing in 2003, Rebecca spent her last years at home with her only son, David, and then at Cherokee County Health & Rehab, where she was watched over in her final moments by her loving ‘adopted grandson’ Edward Smith.

Rebecca was survived by Edward, her grandson Rob, her granddaughter Casey, and her great-grandson Gibson.  Please, in lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the American Heart Association in Rebecca’s honor.