Clarence Martin Allen

Clarence M. “Martin” Allen, 87, of Daisy, formerly of Sikeston, Missouri, passed away Monday, December 29, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

Martin was born March 3, 1938, in Jackson, to Clarence and Noma Crites Allen. He was a 1957 graduate of Patton High School. He and Wilma J. “Joletta” Cook were married August 1, 1958. The couple made their home in Sikeston, and three children were born to their union, Tammy, Cindy, and Marty. Joletta passed away August 1, 2007, on their 49th wedding anniversary.

Martin honorably served in the U.S. Army. He then worked 40 years as a cable splicer for Southwestern Bell Telephone in Sikeston, retiring in the mid-1990’s.

Martin was a longtime, faithful member of Miner Baptist Church. He was instrumental in constructing the new church building; took several mission trips with other church members; and together, he and Joletta rode many years with the Christian Motorcycle Association. Martin’s walk with Christ was of utmost importance to him and he was ever faithful at reading his Bible, which could always be found near him. He read the Bible in its entirety many times and could readily quote scripture by book, chapter, and verse.

Martin had an interest and knack for just about anything. Camping, fishing, boating, and water skiing on Lake Norfork ranked high on his list of favorite family activities. At the age of 82, he was still able to water ski! He also enjoyed training mules; deer hunting; woodworking; gardening flowers and vegetables, and canning.

After his 2011 marriage to Roberta (Cook) Seabaugh, he moved to Daisy and became well-recognized for growing and selling pie pumpkins from their home on Highway B. While living in Daisy, he and Roberts attended New Salem Methodist Church. Roberta passed away November 4, 2024, and the past few years, Martin resided at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

To cherish his memory, Martin leaves his children: Tammy (Robert) Wadlington of Benton, Missouri; Cindy (Mark) Hulshof of Dexter, Missouri; Marty (Teresa) Allen of Billings, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Blake (Katy) Wadlington; Austin (Victoria) Wadlington; Lauren Wadlington (fiancé Seth Menz); Emily (Rob) Novara; Tyler Hulshof (fiancé Madelyn Wibbenmeyer); Ryan (Emilie) Hulshof; Morgan Allen; Keegan Allen (Anna Barcala); two great-grandchildren, Layne Wadlington, Thomas Novara; and a great-granddaughter, Hayden Wadlington, expected in April 2026.

Martin’s surviving siblings include Elouise Forrest of St. Louis; Helen (late Cloyd) Cook of Marble Hill; Marilyn (Donald) Mayfield of Jackson; Debbie (late Bob) Freund of Jackson; Roy (Sue) Allen of Patton; Tom (Tandra) Allen of Jackson; and sister-in-law Donna (late David) Allen of Jackson.

Joletta’s surviving siblings include Sharon (Ed) Pinkerton; Judy (Ted) Clark; and Ron Cook (Craig Rapp).

Roberta’s survivors include her children, Greg (Paula) Seabaugh and Brian (Tina) Seabaugh; daughter-in-law, Beth (late Tim) Seabaugh; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Marie Ruester and David Allen; Joletta’s brother, Jerry Cook; and Roberta’s son, Tim Seabaugh.

Visitation is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, January 2, 2026, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Martin’s good friend, Charley Mangels will conduct the funeral service at 1 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests the Veterans Home Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by scrolling to the guest book beneath Martin’s obituary article at mccombsfuneralhome.com.