Arminta Lee Combs Taylor Allen

Arminta Lee Combs Taylor Allen (Minta), 91, passed away in Bountiful, Utah, on November 16, 2024. Born on March 16, 1933, in Norwood, Colorado, she was the youngest of five children of Martha Ellen George and Berton Monroe Combs. She was born in the home of Amos Lane and Mary Cornforth, who were very involved in her upbringing. Teenager Arminta and her mother left Norwood and moved to Kremmling, Colorado, where Arminta graduated high school in 1950. Late in life, after extensive family history research, to her great delight, she discovered she was related to her beloved Cornforth family.

Arminta grew up loving to read, play the piano, and ride horses. After high school, she attended Colorado A&M, studying childhood education, where she met and married her first husband, Van Waldeane Taylor, in 1951. The couple and growing family embarked on frequent moves across the western U.S. due to Van's career in the oil industry. Arminta became a single mother of five when Van passed away from cancer. She married Robert Van Allen in 1969, combining their large families in Irving, Texas. They were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple and celebrated 55 years of marriage this year.

Arminta was an adult convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her testimony of Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of her life. She served tirelessly in her branches, wards, and stakes. She and her beloved Van Allen served two Church service missions at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Carrollton, Texas, and another at the Church Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Her family and church were the loves of her life.

She was a talented cook, accomplished knitter, and avid reader. Arminta always had a book, yarn, and a kitchen within arm’s reach. She loved music, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Arminta is survived by her husband, R. Van Allen; her children, Selonna Zee (Mehrdad), Brett Taylor (Valerie), Kelly Taylor (Kay), Tarl Taylor (Egda), and Van T. Allen (Emily); her stepchildren Frances Barnett, Maegan Brownrigg (Tony), Patricia Allen, and Jerrold Allen (Mary); beloved nephews and nieces; dozens of grandchildren, scores of great-grandchildren, and most recently, twin great-great-grandsons.

Instead of a formal memorial service, Arminta asked for a family picnic and continued support of the full-time Church missionaries, a cause she devotedly supported.

She will be buried in Weleetka, Oklahoma, where she spent many happy days with her beloved Van Allen.