Obituary of Lois Trumble

Warrensburg: Lois Trumble, 86, passed away peacefully, Monday, February 11, 2008 at the home of her daughter following a long illness. Born September 18, 1921 in Maysville, AR., she was the 10th and youngest child of the late James R. and Matilda (Boyer) Allen. Lois completed her 8th grade education at the rural, one room Coats School, near the family farm. Since her mother was deceased, she was sent to Tulsa, OK and boarded with her oldest sister until she graduated from Central High School in 1939. Following graduation she worked at a canning factory and laundry, before finding her niche as a switchboard operator and supervisor for Southwestern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co. in Muskogee, OK. She met her husband to be, Major Howard C. Trumble Sr. on a blind date while he was stationed at Ft. Sill. In 1944, Lois lost her father and Howard had shipped out to the Pacific Theatre, so she enlisted in the U.S. Army, receiving a leave of absence from the telephone company. Lois completed Basic Training at Ft. Oglethorpe, GA and immediately left to tour the eastern seaboard by train as a WAC Recruiter. She was then stationed in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and deployed to the European Theatre of Operations, where she served in France and Germany. Lois was assigned to the telephone section of communications at the Signal Corp Headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. She operated the red line switchboard, which was General Eisenhower’s personal switchboard. Lois was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1946. She resumed her civilian job in Muskogee and awaited Howard’s return from Occupied Japan. The couple married on Dec. 8, 1946 and began their 39 years together residing and working in Katonah, Bedford Hills and Mt. Kisco. Lois transferred to N.Y. Telephone and helped operate the couple’s restaurant, The Elbow Room. The Korean Conflict precipitated a return to Army life and a tour of duty in Germany for the family. Upon returning stateside, they relocated to Glens Falls with their young son, before moving to Granville. At this point in her life, Lois was already stoically dealing with the loss of a son and daughter. Her 30 years as a Granville resident were spent as a loving mother, part-time cafeteria worker for the school district, a partner in the family businesses: Trumble Specialty Co. Inc., H & T Auto Parts Inc., and Trumble Stables. Lois was a member of Home Bureau, Order of the Eastern Star: Sylvan Star Chapter #122, the United Methodist Church, a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout Junior Troop Leader. After Howard died in 1985, she moved to Putnam and then Warrensburg with her daughter. Lois was an active member of the Warrensburg 50 Plus Club and past president. In 2001, she was honored as Warren County’s Outstanding Senior Citizen and received a NYS Assembly Citation and NYS Legislature Achievement Award. She was a strong believer in community and helping others, but usually did so anonymously. Lois joined O.E.S. Queen Village Chapter # 825, which recognized her 50 year O.E.S. membership in 2006.She was a member of the American Legion and proudly proclaimed her love of country. Lois was always an avid reader and became interested in researching and documenting family genealogy. She was very pleased when her book, Bits & Pieces: The Allen Family was published in 2006 for the Centennial Celebration of the Allen Family Farm, Inc. Her favorite enjoyments were pampering Carson, walking and gardening. If she couldn’t be outdoors, she was busy designing and sewing Barbie doll fashions to give away. Whatever her pursuits or challenges, they were always graciously peppered with her quiet fortitude, sense of humor and keen wit. Besides her parents, Lois was predeceased by her brothers: James R. Allen Jr., of California; Gilbert Allen of Michigan; Daniel Allen of Arkansas; her sisters: Lou Roberts and Allie Belle Root, of Oklahoma; Monell Reinhold of Michigan; Neva Jones of Arkansas. She was also predeceased by her husband, Howard C. Trumble Sr.; and son, Allen “Tilly” R. Trumble. Survivors include her beloved daughter, Joyce Thyrring and her companion, Gaylord Hawley of Warrensburg; her brothers: Sam B. Allen and wife Jane of Arkansas; Tom P. Allen and wife Marie of Arkansas; along with numerous cousins and several generations of nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held in the spring and a Memorial Service at the family farm during the next reunion. In remembrance of Lois, those that wish may make contributions to: Adirondack Vets House, Inc. c/o Order of the Eastern Star, Warren-Washington District, Malcom Ogden, 44 Center St., Fort Edward, NY 12828. Donations in Lois' name may also be made to: Shriners Hospital Fund, c/o Glens Falls Shrine Club, Walt Cunniff Jr.(sec), PO Box 424, Indian Lake, NY 12842. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book and condolences.