The Gates of Heaven opened on September 15, 2006 at 9 p.m. for Vinita Faye Allen. Vinita, age 76 passed from this life at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg following a lengthy illness. She was a resident of rural Columbus, Kansas.

Born on the family farm, just outside Persia, Iowa, on October 30, 1929, she was the third child of the late Redmond C. Clevenger and Florence Mae Smith Clevenger Hogue. She lived most of her adult life in the Columbus area, moving from the family farm in Iowa at the age of 13.

She married Donald Ray Coble on Nov. 9, 1946 in Columbus. Following his passing in 1973 she married Henry Alexander Allen on August 23, 1974.

She worked for the Berry Garment Factory for 27 years, where she was Sergeant of Arms of the Union. She retired after the death of her first husband to continue to raise her nine year old daughter.

Vinita had many interests and was a member of many clubs and organizations including the Roseland Pinocle Club, the Clio Club, the Columbus Genealogical Society and the Columbus Library Book Club. Until she became too ill to continue she was a Trinity Hospice volunteer. She was a member of the Bethlehem Methodist Church rural Columbus, KS for several years.

She received the very first GED Diploma issued in Kansas. She then pursued Business and Accounting courses through Pittsburg State College. She was an avid reader and throughout her adult life she subscribed to many book clubs.

She loved to travel and did so at every opportunity. The highlight of her travels was an eighteen day European tour of eight countries in 1999.

When she and Henry retired from farming they built the current home just outside Columbus from plans which Vinita designed.

Although she never joined, Vinita held eligibility to the Daughters of the American Revolution through her great, great, great, great grandfather Nehemiah Wood, who provided beef to the Revolutionary Army. She was also eligible to hold dual citizenship because her grandfather, George Joshua Smith emigrated from Scotter, England at the age of 17.

Vinita was the beloved mother of four children; James R. Coble of rural Columbus, Donna R. Sill of Webb City, MO, Ruth M. Hageman of rural Galena, MO and April S. Douthit of rural Miami, OK. Another daughter, Trisha Ann Coble, died in infancy in 1948. She was also the step-mother of Patrick Allen upon her marriage to Henry.

In addition to her parents, two husbands and daughter she will also be joining two sisters; Neva George and Joyce Tyree in heaven.

Other survivors include two sisters; Shirley Griffitt of rural Columbus and Erma Thompson, Olathe, KS and two brothers; Retired Commander Redmond Clevenger, South Boston, MA and William (Bill) Clevenger, Wellsville, KS; 12 grandchildren, 10 step grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 10 step great grandchildren, 2 unborn great grandchildren, one unborn step great grandchild, all due within the next few months and several nieces and nephews.

She was loved by all and will be missed dearly.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 19, 2006 at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus, KS with Neal Anderson, Pastor officiating. Family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. The family will be gathering at VinitaÕs home at 1305 NE Ave. Columbus

The family suggest memorials to the American Lung Assoc. and may be left at or mailed to the Simpson Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Dale Sill, Danny Douthit, Jerry Hageman, Troy Brooks, Chad Hale, Kurtis Moss with Honorary pallbearers including Zachary Lawellin, Jared Lawellin, Braxton Douthit, Greg Coble.