Willie Allen was born in Bowman, Arkansas to William and Corda (Marlin) Richey. Her given name was Rosa Lee Richey. She was the oldest of four children with a half brother and half sister. She was five years old when her mother passed away. Her father was unable to work and care for six children, so they had to live with other families. He visited them frequently. The family that took Willie later adopted her and changed her name to Willie Ruth Johnston. She was the youngest in the family with eight brothers. The Johnston's were farmers and treated her very good. Willie got married in 1940. She and her now deceased husband, Harry lived in Jonesboro, Arkansas before moving to Sapulpa in 1950. She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene. As a stay-at-home mom, she stayed very busy cooking from scratch, cleaning, and sewing. She was a kind person with a giving heart. She is survived by four daughters, one son, twelve grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.