Obituaries
09-29-2004, Wednesday
Longview News-Journal


Gwen Allbright 
Lakeview MG

Gwen Allbright died peacefully at her home on Monday. She was 
born March 18, 1931, in Electra, the only child of C.P. and 
Brunetta Sanderlin. Gwen attended public schools in Longview 
and received a bachelor of science degree from East Texas 
State in 1952. She taught in the Pine Tree, Greenville and 
Beckville independent school districts before continuing 
graduate studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, where 
she earned her masters degree in education. Gwen continued her 
teaching career in the Pine Tree and Hallsville ISDs before 
retiring after 32 years of service in the public school 
systems. 

While teaching was Gwen's lifelong passion, she also enjoyed 
tending her flower gardens and took great joy in watching 
wildlife come to feed in her back yard. She was a gifted 
crafts artist who generously shared her unique talents with 
others. Gwen held lifetime memberships in the Texas State 
Teachers Association and Parent Teacher Association. She was a 
member of Alpha Delta Kappa. Gwen was the first woman honored 
with the Community Builder Award by the James F. Taylor 
Masonic Lodge No. 169. 

Gwen was an active member of the First United Methodist Church 
in Hallsville, where her love of God was reflected in her 
devotion to her faith, family and friends. She counted her 
52-year marriage to Harry Allbright as one of her richest 
blessings. Her children were paramount in her life, and she 
celebrated in the love and joy that their chosen spouses 
brought into the close-knit family. She took great pride and 
delight in her three cherished grandchildren, who loved her 
beyond compare. 

Gwen was preceded in death by her father, C.P. Sanderlin, and 
her daughter, Anita Louise Allbright Spradlin. 

Gwen is survived by her husband, Harry Allbright Jr.; a son, 
Harry Allbright III and his wife, Merry; a daughter, Laurie 
Allbright Gunn and her husband, Glenn; her mother, Brunetta 
Sanderlin; and three grandchildren, Carina Allbright, Abby 
Gunn and Sam Gunn. 

The family would like to thank everyone who supported Gwen 
with prayers and expressions of love. She was surrounded by 
friends and family to the end. A special thank you is given to 
the staff of Greater Hospice of Texas, who made Gwen's 
courageous end-of-life journey more comfortable. 

The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Rader 
Funeral Home in Longview. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, 
Oct. 1, at the Rader Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Dan Darby 
officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. 

Memorials may be made to the Hallsville First United Methodist 
Church Building Fund at P.O. Box 365, Hallsville, TX 75650. 

A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com.