Honoring a Mother's Legacy: The Margie Green Allen Memorial Scholarship

By Becky Crabtree

Margie Green Allen was born in Rock Camp, West Virginia, in 1933. She grew up in extreme poverty and quit school in 4th grade to care for her invalid mother. Margie married young; she and her husband Gene raised a family of five children. She always told her children to value education, as she did not have the opportunities it offered. She encouraged her children to explore the world and become lifelong learners. Mrs. Allen worked hard her entire life and was a cook at Talcott School in Summers County for many years. She passed away in 2002.

Mrs. Allen had 5 children and 12 grandchildren. As a result of her inspiration, those 17 family members have earned a total of 15 college degrees from universities as distant as Ohio State, West Virginia University, the University of South Carolina, the University of Virginia, the University of Tennessee, Columbia University, and, nearer to home, Concord University.

Beginning in 2024, Margie's family funded a permanently endowed scholarship to celebrate the generational impact of Margie's hard work and love of learning. Her son, Melvin, and his wife, Rhonda, who live in Cashmere, West Virginia, were instrumental in this decision. Mr. Allen said, "There was no way we could get through school without help." He joined the Marine Corps and used the GI Bill to get through college. He is now retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving as Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies in the WVU ROTC program. Having worked with college students, he has some advice for young people following the path of education: "Use your time wisely, don't skip classes. Don't give up; it is easy to take the easy route and quit."

When asked what his mother would think of her memorial scholarship, he said, "I think she would be humble but happy and proud."

The first two young women who received this scholarship provide a powerful beginning to Mrs. Allen's legacy.

Sadie Maxey, JMHS Class of '24

The first recipient of this scholarship in 2024 was Sadie Maxey, daughter of Loretta and Shawn Maxey of Peterstown. She says, "Receiving the Margie Allen Memorial Scholarship was an honor. As a young woman from a small community, it was motivating to have the support of an ambitious woman from another generation. Without that support, both mentally and financially, my life would look a lot different. I would not have been able to pursue the academic career I have if it weren't for the help of this scholarship, along with many others. I am now finishing my second year at WVU, where I am studying Respiratory Therapy. I will graduate with my Bachelor's Degree in May of 2027 and sit for my boards to become a registered Respiratory Therapist."

Alison Miller, JMHS Class of '25

Last year, the MCEF presented the scholarship to Alison Miller, daughter of Sally and David Miller of Lindside. She comments, "This scholarship has allowed me to focus on my academic career without the worry of financial stress. I would like to honor Margie Allen and her lifelong dedication to learning by pursuing my academic career and my personal goal of lifelong learning. This scholarship has blessed me in a way that not only helps with the burden of college costs, but also reminds me of the end goal, which is to learn and apply." Alison is studying social work at Concord University and hopes to become a licensed independent clinical social worker.

This is one of a series of articles about the Monroe County Education Foundation.