MARTHA L. ALLEN, age 76, of Houston passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning, the 17th of February 2007, at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston with her family at her side. She was a devoted and beloved wife, mother and grandmother who was loved dearly by her family and many friends and she will be greatly missed by everyone. She was born on the 3rd of June 1930 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Charles M. Bridges and Mattie Brossette Bridges. She is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Joe P. Allen, son Harvey M. Allen of Georgetown, Texas, son J. Wayne Allen and wife Leslie of Anaheim Hills, California, grandchildren, Chris Allen of Washington, D.C., Brian Allen and wife Melissa of Austin, Texas, Stephen Allen of Waco, Texas, Lyndsie Allen, Jay W. Allen, Jr. and Lacy Allen of Anaheim Hills, California and her sister Jewell E. Hobson and husband Richmond of Riverview, Florida and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Charles M. Bridges, Jr. Martha attended the public schools of Caddo Parish Louisiana and graduated from Fair Park High School in the class of 1947 and graduated from Centenary College in Shreveport in 1951 having earned a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education. She was a teacher for twenty-six years having taught in both Shreveport and Houston. The family cordially invites friends to a visitation at from six o'clock until eight o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 19th of February, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, Texas. The memorial service will be conducted at half past one o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 20th of February at South Main Baptist Church with Dr. Stephen Wells, Rev. Erin Conaway and Rev. Eugene Vickrey officiating. A visitation will also be held in Shreveport from six o'clock until eight o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 21st of February at the Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana. The interment services will be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 21st of February, at Forest Park Cemetery, 3700 Saint Vincent Street, Shreveport, Louisiana with Rev. Eugene Vickrey as offciant.