Orpha Allene Julian was born to John and Orpha Coleman Hunter in Tiffin, MO. She spent her childhood in her parent’s store at Tiffin. She has fond memories of her time spent with cousins while she was growing up.
She attended grade school at Union Point south of Tiffin and El Dorado Springs High School, graduating in 1957. She married Myrl Julian in August of 1959. To this union two children were born: Kenneth Duane and Peggy. They lived in Kansas City until 1969 when they moved back to El Dorado Springs and opened Julian Ready Mix just north of town. They continued to expand their construction business with plants in Osceola, Appleton City, and Greenfield, along with crews to build basements and finish flat work. She worked along with their many employees doing all the bookwork, scheduling orders, and even batching trucks.
In 1974 they started building a herd of registered Simmental cattle. Breeding the herd to purebred status until 1988. Allene took great pride in her livestock and land, residing on the same farm in Harwood for almost 50 years that she shared with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In 1989, Allene and her daughter Peggy ran Tastee Freez restaurant until 1996. Many friends and family filled the restaurant with memories throughout those years. After health issues, she returned home to do what she loved best, taking care of her grandkids. When the grandkids entered school, she started cleaning houses and did so until she was in her 70s.
Allene’s greatest joy in life started with the birth of her first granddaughter. She spent over 40 years helping raise several of her grandkids and great grandkids. There wasn’t a game, concert, or event she missed. She was everyone’s Grandma and took pride in being the hangout spot for all the high school kids.
Any of her family can vouch she was the strictest cleaner around, made the best peach cobbler, custard pies, and mince meat. None of the grandkids ever left Grandma’s house without having a snack. She always needed to know where they were and what they were doing. For many years she kept her three youngest great grand babies and spoiled them rotten.
In recent years, she spent most of her time at home with Duane. She enjoyed traveling, sharing trips with friends and cousins, from Spain to Hawaii. Allene took many trips with Peggy, Ethan & Kala to Mexico, Alaska, Smokey Mountains, and Yellowstone National Park.
Allene was a devoted Christian, being raised in The Tiffin Baptist Church where she was Baptized at a young age. She spent many years attending Union Hall Baptist Church with her children and Grandchildren.
She is survived by her son Duane, daughter Peggy (Kevin) Purtle of Harwood. Grandchildren: Carla Julian of El Dorado Springs, Caleb (Lisa) Julian of Nevada, Ethan Hopkins of El Dorado Springs, Hayley (Charles) Richard’s of El Dorado Springs, Kala (Joe) Robison of Harwood. Great Grandchildren: Chandler Chamberland of Carthage, Makena, Maddix, Mylie Robison of Harwood, Uriyah Julian of Nevada, Tristan & Graham Kenney, & Vivienne Robison of Harwood. One niece, Virginia Smith of Concordia, MO and a host of great nieces and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, John & Orpha Hunter. One brother, Jr. Hunter, sister-in-law Marylee. Two sisters, Nova and an infant at birth. One niece Barbara Leonard and nephews Michael Hunter & Jim Hunter.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of Sheldon Funeral Home P.O. Box 408 El Dorado Springs, Missouri 64744.
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