Delpha Jean Allred was born September 15, 1930, in Rocky, Oklahoma, and passed from this life on July 25, 2011, after a brief illness. She was the oldest of four daughters born to Herman Louis Stafford and Bonnie Avo Bradshaw. Her family moved west to California from Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl and settled in Greenfield, the town she would call home for the next 73 years.
She graduated from King City High School in 1949 and married Roy Thomas Grogan in November of that year. Tragically, Roy would die in 1953, leaving her a widow with an infant son to support. She soon began her career with the telephone company as an operator at the "Old Stone House" in Greenfield, and later transferred to the business office in King City, where she came to know almost everyone living or working in South Monterey County.
She married Russell E. Allred on May 18, 1958, and joined him in operating Allred's Chevron Service in Greenfield. Her family grew to include Russell's son, Jack, her son, Dale, and their two sons together, Deron and Jerry. She helped Russ run their gas and service station while keeping a house full of growing boys fed, clothed and educated.
Coming from Oklahoma in the Dust Bowl and living the dark days of the depression, Delpha knew the value of having food on the table and a place to lay your head at night. So if you were a friend of one her sons, you were like a son to her and she always offered a meal and frequently a place to lay your head at night. Over the years, many young men were given their first job at the gas station and others rented a house from her. Closest to her heart, and just like a son to her, was Richard Gibbs and his family. They returned to Greenfield from Bakersfield often to celebrate birthdays and holidays with Delpha and Russ.
Moving to their farm in 1977, Delpha realized her dream of having a place to grow an immense garden and raise all kinds of animals. Her farm kitchen became the center of family life, with kids and grandkids gathered to help and learn as she produced the best peach pies, apricot jam and canned green beans for her family to enjoy later. Others who benefitted from her culinary skills were the members of Silver Kings and Queens, the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary, and the First Southern Baptist Church of Greenfield. She always had a homemade pie or favorite dish in hand when she attended a potluck or dinner meeting.
Delpha is survived by her husband of 53 years, Russell E. Allred, two sisters, Charlotte (Lloyd) Peterson of Blanchard, Oklahoma, Treva La Vonda Gerard, of Oklahoma City, four sons, Jack (Wanda) Allred of Richland, Michigan, Dale (Brenda) Grogan of Greenfield, Deron (Dana) Allred of Loomis, and Jerry Allred of Rocklin, California. Also surviving are her uncle, Herschel Stafford of Midland, and her aunt, Floetta Stafford of Odessa, Texas. She had eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Services were held Friday, July 29, 2011, followed by burial in the King City Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to Westview Boys Home, Hollis, Oklahoma.

A Funeral Service was held 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 29th 2011 at the First Southern Baptist Church, 344 Sixth St., Greenfield, Calif. Burial followed at King City District Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Westview Boys Home. For additional information regarding this charity please go to westviewboyshome.com .