Margie Elaine Hackbarth Grossenbacher Allen

"This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24)

A dedicated servant of the Lord with unwavering faith, Margie Elaine Hackbarth Grossenbacher Allen, 88, passed away joyfully and peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family and friends.

Margie, named for one of her beloved aunts, was born in Waco to Winifred Smith Hackbarth and Harlan Hackbarth. Her family owned the Smith Building Company, a commercial construction company that built many buildings in Waco and across the state that still stands today. Margie attended Sanger Avenue School, West Junior High, and graduated from Waco High School in 1955.

Margie and her family were among the original 25 families from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church that were asked to become founding members of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. She was a devoted member of St. Alban’s and served the church with joy and gladness. She served in many roles in her home parish and on the national level, as the province VII president for the Episcopal Church Women. At the time of her death, Margie was the last living member who was present for St. Alban’s first worship service on Palm Sunday, 1946. She was also actively involved in the Junior League of Waco.

Margie married Clyde Rudolph “Rudy” Grossenbacher on December 17, 1955. They had two daughters, Rose Elise and Gay Winnifred. Margie and Rudy loved to travel, often visiting relatives in West Texas, England and Switzerland, as well as many trips with friends and family to Port Aransas and elsewhere.

In 1989 her life changed with the death of her mother in February and Rudy in June. She was now in charge of running several businesses: a bar-mix company, a record-storage box company (where she developed a patent for a cardboard flip-top box), and an oil and gas company. Margie was a wise and shrewd businesswoman with a strong will and unrelenting tenacity.

Margie reconnected with a high school boyfriend, Harris B. Allen, at Rotary Club. They married on February 14, 1993, expanding her family to include a third daughter, Claire Allen Moore. Margie and Harris also loved to travel. They traveled for many years with her sister Helen and husband Joe B. Allen (no relation to Harris). They traveled the globe in style, staying at “Motel 6000s,” as Harris called them. By the end of her life, Margie had visited every continent except Antarctica.

Margie was a natural grandmother, the one true Mimi. She had a strong influence on all her grandchildren, Marjorie Rose, Marc Edgar “Eddie,” Russell Whatley “Ru,” and Winifred “Winnie,” and Meredith. Her home was open to them where she offered refuge and strength for all in need.

Margie’s joy multiplied with the birth of her four great-grandchildren whom she adored: August, Marc Edgar, III “Tritt,” Rheagan, and Violet. They always put a smile on her face.

In her final years, Margie was fortunate to have Wanda Riley as a steady companion and caregiver who became Margie’s best friend and “fourth daughter.”

The family would also like to thank Jose Perez, her beloved right-hand man, whom she considered an adopted son and all the helpers and caregivers who have continuously remained by her side over the years, Divine Home Care, Halcyon Home Health Care, their nurses and caregivers.

Margie was the matriarch extraordinaire. She exemplified beauty, grace, faith, perseverance and class. Every time we see fresh flowers, a string of pearls, a crystal glass, acts of generosity, and sing The Doxology we will remember her and give a shout of joy.

Margie was preceded in death by her parents, Winifred and Harlan Hackbarth, husband Clyde Rudolph Grossenbacher, and second husband Harris Allen, both daughters Gay Grossenbacher King and Rose Grossenbacher, and her grandson Marc Edgar King Jr.

Margie is survived by her beloved sister Helen Hackbarth Allen and husband Joe B. Allen III, of Houston; step-daughter Claire Moore of Waco; grandchildren Marjorie Rose Parker of Austin, Winifred Nelson of Waco and Russell Loper Jr. of Fairfield, TX; “bonus” granddaughter Meredith Moore Aldriedge of Austin; great-grandchildren August Rudolph Parker, Marc Edgar King III, Rheagan Elaine King and Violet Aldriedge; nieces Alice Tilton Duerksen of Fort Stockton and Rev. Dr. Frances Tilton Shelton of Dallas; nephews Douglas Bergen and Harlan Bergen both of Houston.

A visitation will be held at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey on Monday, April 6 from 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

The funeral will be held at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church on Tuesday, April 7, at 10:00 AM, with The Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher, Suffragan Bishop of Texas, Celebrant, and The Rev. Aaron M. G. Zimmerman officiating. The graveside committal service at Waco Memorial Park to immediately follow.

Pallbearers will be Douglas Bergen, Harlan Bergen, Russell Loper, Jose Perez, August Parker, and Tritt King. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe B. Allen, Jeff Ward, Jimmy Barnes, David Dickson, Bill Smith, Hatch Bailey, Don Young, James Driver, and Patrick Nichols.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Endowment Fund or the Building Fund at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Margie in her “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com