Martha John Allison

Martha John Allison, 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at Baptist East Hospital in Montgomery, AL. Visitation will be held at 8:30 AM on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL. Funeral services will begin immediately after at 10:00 AM, with Dr. Chris Montgomery and Dr. John Ed Mathison officiating. Interment will follow at 2 PM CST (3 PM EST) at Lakeview Memory Gardens Cemetery in Phenix City, AL.

Martha John (Harris) Allison was born in Phenix City, AL on September 30, 1939, daughter of J. D. (John Davidson -former Phenix City Mayor) and Martha Harris. She was raised in Phenix City, AL where she graduated from Central High School. Soon after, she attended Auburn University graduating with a B.S. in Business Education. For fifty-nine years, Mrs. Allison was the cherished and devoted wife of Colonel William (“Bill”) C. Allison. She and Bill were married in 1961, and as an army family, they lived in various places across the country before finally settling in Montgomery, AL where they have remained longtime residents.

Martha John Allison’s life was focused on her purposeful and joyful service to her family, friends, and community. Mrs. Allison was a long-term and active member of Frazer United Methodist Church where she was employed full-time as director of the Older Adult Ministry. At Frazer, she was instrumental in establishing several programs including Friends Bible Study, S.P.I.R.I.T of Frazer, organizing Ministry Trips, which allowed older adults to tour our beautiful country, and even establishing an exercise class for older adults. She also established the “Speeders” older adult choir. She was the driving force behind production of several Branson type shows which raised funds for a variety of causes including Wesley Gardens Assisted Living Community, The Salvation Army, the Nellie Burge Community Center, Auburn’s Christian Fellowship, Frazer’s In Christ’s Way, and even a minister’s hospital bill.

Martha John Allison’s passion and devotion to caring for the elderly spanned over thirty years with much of her focus being on improving the quality of life for residents at Wesley Gardens Assisted Living Community. For thirty years, Martha John single-handedly organized and conducted a Sunday morning worship service to improve the spiritual life of residents. As volunteer chairperson, she coordinated a campaign that raised over $427,000 for the establishment of the Wesley Gardens Life Enrichment Center. As President of the Ways & Means Committee for Wesley Gardens, Martha John was instrumental in establishing an active Auxiliary of volunteers. For her tireless devotion, Martha John Allison was selected as a Board of Trustee member of the Methodist Home Corporation of Alabama & NW Florida where she served for fifteen years as well as serving as a board member for the Montgomery Area Council on Aging.

As an active volunteer for the Salvation Army, Martha John often showcased informative programs about the organization as well as sponsored volunteer recognition breakfasts and dinners. She served as a docent for the Governor’s Mansion, and for her extensive volunteerism and devotion as an army wife, she was selected as an Honorary Member of the 22nd Infantry Regiment that her husband served with in Vietnam. Martha John Allison spent her life ministering to older adults, the homeless, the military, and many civic and religious organizations, and she provided comfort, care, transportation, and meals to countless individuals and families. For her unfaltering charitable work, Martha John Allison was recognized as Montgomery’s Volunteer of the Year, and she and Colonel William (“Bill”) C. Allison were recognized by the Family Guidance Center of Alabama as a Family of the Year. Mrs. Allison’s entire life was centered around her faith and her loving care for humanity.

Martha John Allison is survived by her loving husband and best friend of fifty-nine years, Bill Allison of Montgomery, AL; two daughters, M. Alisa Allison of Montgomery, AL and Yancey Jane Allison of Como, MS. She will be deeply missed by legions of loving family and friends whose lives she graciously enriched. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Wesley Gardens Life Enrichment Fund, 1555 Taylor Road, Montgomery, AL, 36117 in an effort to continue her life’s work.