A local couple represented the River City well earlier this year on a vacation to the Gulf Coast and Donmica Felix says she wants to give her husband the praise he deserves for his actions.

Felix said her husband, Ronald Allen Jr. – known by friends as “Rerun” – acted quickly and heroically to turn what could have been a disaster into just a near miss for another beach-goer during the couple’s anniversary trip to Biloxi.

“Ronald is a hard worker at (International Paper) who is usually the butt of jokes because he never misses work or is always working for others,” Felix said. “He decided to take me on a weekend getaway back in February for our two-year anniversary.”

Felix said the couple stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel in Biloxi, where they decided to enjoy a night out on the beach, adding that is where Allen jumped into action to help a stranger.

“While waiting on a room, we decided to take a walk together down the pier beside McElroy’s Harbor House,” she said. “Not knowing what was awaiting us, I was hesitant to go, but Ronald insisted we take a walk and take everything in. To our surprise, we were greeted by a woman in desperate need of help.”

Felix said she still isn’t sure exactly what events led to the distressing situation, but said the desperate woman told them her friend had fallen from the pier and was in the water. Felix said Ronald sprang into action without regard for his own safety.

“Her friend was at the mercy of the water,” Felix said. “Without hesitation, Ronald ran to the woman’s rescue.”

Felix said the situation ended unceremoniously, as the woman suffered only minor injuries and left to seek medical treatment, but added she wanted to make sure her husband’s heroic actions received some recognition.

“I’m not sure what happened to her and we didn’t get her name,” Felix recalled, “But, the woman was gracious and said she couldn’t have held on for much longer.”