Colonial
Springs
Reflections
V ol u me 30, Is s u e 7
A u gust 2 0 1 9
Colonial Springs Healthcare Center is an affiliate of CMH, Bolivar, Mo., 417-326-6000
Facility Location: 750 W. Cooper St., Buffalo, MO 65622, 417-345-2228
RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT:
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Resident Spotlight 1
Facebook 1
Resident Pictures 2
Upcoming Activities 2
Calendar of Events 3
Resident Birthdays 4
New Residents 4
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DOROTHY “DOTTIE” LOU ALLEN
Dorothy Lou Allen was born March 26,
1941, to Richard and Marcella Douglas in
Fort Worth, Texas. Dottie was the oldest in
the family, having a brother that was born
when she was 12. “I helped raise him until
one day when I was at the grocery store,
one lady thought I was his mother. After
that I said, no way,” said Dottie.
Dottie grew up in the oil fields of western
Texas, where her dad and granddad
worked. “They worked there, but never got
rich,” said Dottie. “Just the owners.”
She went to school up to the 11th grade,
got married, then finished her education
through a correspondence course.
“When I was learning how to drive, I ran
Doyle Allen’s 1941 Chevy in the ditch. That
was how I met my future husband,” said
Dottie. They dated about a year since he
was in the Marines and was based in
California. On April 23, 1958, the Allen’s
were married.
After their marriage, the couple moved
to California and within six months, Dottie
was pregnant, so Doyle moved her back
home with her parents and he finished out
his tour before he moved back to Texas.
The Allen’s had two boys. Jerry Dean
passed away five years ago and David Mark
resides in Tunas. Dottie has seven grand-
children and four great grandchildren, with
another granddaughter on the way.
While the Allen’s lived in Texas, Dottie
worked as a floral designer for more than
30 years. Doyle was a mortician/funeral
director, so it was beneficial that Dottie
enjoyed making arrangements.
After Doyle passed away in 1997, Dottie
moved to Tunas to live with her son, and a
year later moved to Buffalo. She began
working at Copper-Atteberry Floral and
stayed there until the shop closed down.
Then she worked part-time at different
shops until her arthritis got to bad.
When Dottie wasn’t making flowers, she
enjoyed crocheting hats, purses and
afghans. She also made bread dough
flowers.
Dottie came to Colonial Springs in May
and looks forward to each day that she is
here. She is very much a social person. “I
love talking with the ladies and gentlemen,
especially when I see them smile. I feel that
God has put me here for a reason and I am
going to help others as long as I can. I have
already taught a floral arranging class and
next month I am teaching a hat making
class,” said Dottie.
“My ambition in life is to sing again. I
love to sing. I used to sing in bands, at
church and with a opera singer when I was
younger. My goal is to sing again with my
friends here at Colonial Springs. So if you
hear some noise, that is probably me,”
laughs Dottie . “Oh, by the way, in case
you haven't’ noticed, I love to wear
hats.”
Are you a caring individual who would like to assist in caring for the elderly?
Colonial Springs Healthcare Center has opportunities in its volunteer and nursing
program. For more information call Jeff Miller, administrator, today at 417-345-2228.