Allred, Isaac Oliver and Belle Evans Alston

Lea County Families and History, Then and Now, Vol II, 1984

Allred, Oliver and Belle

By: Mrs. Ruby Allred

Isaac Oliver Allred, Jr. and Belle Evans Alston were married the 9^th day of July 1925 at Carlsbad, New Mexico by Justice of the Peace Frank H. Richards.

           They started a small ranching empire, halfway between Carlsbad and Hobbs. They were independent and asked nothing of anyone, until 1961, when Cecil and Ruby Allred received a letter from them, saying “come at once”. For the next 19 years we made he 140 mile trip at least once a month, at times each week to see to their needs.

           They were fine people of the old school, and we learned a lot from them. We respected their wishes and their way of life. They raised a garden, had a small orchard, canned their fruits and vegetables. We carried them wheat and corn which they ground on a hand grinder to use for their bread. They were very self-sufficient until their health failed.

           Their wish was to be buried on their ranch at their death. We carried out those wishes. Uncle “OL” had built two concrete tombs, side by side, shortly after their marriage. We sealed Belle’s remains in one side (it rained seven inches that day). In exactly one month we placed uncle “OL” in the other side and sealed it. A fairy tale and true love story…53 years together.

          The burial place is in the New Mexico legal records and is now designated as the Allred Cemetery.