Mother Betty Jean Smith Allen

Obituary For Mother Betty Jean Smith Allen

Gillisonville, SC

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR BETTY JEAN SMITH ALLEN

We have gathered today to celebrate Deaconess Betty Jean Smith Allen's homegoing, who has found rest with Jesus. In His own way, and for His own purpose, God, our Father, called the spirit of His beloved, to be with Him throughout eternity on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

She was the eldest daughter of the late Taft Smith and Rosalee Padgett Smith, born April 10, 1936 in Jasper County, South Carolina.

She received her formal education from the public schools of South Carolina.

She was joined in holy matrimony to Deacon David Allen on June 20, 1953. They were married for 67 years and to this union seven children were born. Betty had a deep love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and took pride in their accomplishments, encouraging and celebrating their success. "Gama", as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, took pride in providing advice, guidance, and most importantly unconditional love to the younger generations.

She was employed with several entities in South Carolina for many years. In the early 1970's, she was one of the original 19 Family Health Workers selected by the communities and a committee at the new Beaufort-Jasper Comprehensive Health Services~this agency needed someone to recruit poverty-stricken families in the Low Country in need of help to come to the clinic. These community leaders trained and visited families during the day and went to school at night to get their High School Diploma, as well as care for their own families. These (19) Family Health Workers were the ones who went out and beat the bushes to get this program started. They were the backbone of the Beaufort-Jasper Comprehensive Health Services. Through many sacrifices and hard work, she was very proud to earn her High School Diploma, alongside her son, Marvin Allen in 1974.

After leaving Beaufort-Jasper Comprehensive Health Services in the early 1980's, she successfully ran a home daycare for over 30 years, providing exceptional care to many of the children in the Jasper, Beaufort and Hampton Counties-many turned out to be successful men and women, and up until her death, they would come back to visit or thank her for the love and attention provided.

She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and joined Padgett Branch Baptist Church. Since that time, she has served faithfully in various functions. She served faithfully as a member of the Charity Board, and for a period of time as the Treasurer.

She loved to cook, sew, make quilts and spend as much time with her family. She loved to teach the younger generation things to better their life as an adult (i.e. cooking, sewing, gardening (planting food to survive, flowers, etc.).

Those who encountered her, knew her, and loved her will miss her dearly. She leaves to cherish her memory and undying love her husband Deacon David Allen of Ridgeland, SC, her children Shirley Ann Allen Youmans of Ridgeland, SC, Marvin (Evelyn) Allen of Denmark, SC, Dedrick (Patricia) Allen of Vallejo, CA, Anita (Jerry) Allen Spells of Pembroke, GA, Kelvin (Felisa) Allen of Ridgeland, SC, William (Darrett) Allen of Atlanta, GA, and David Dwayne Allen of Atlanta, GA.

She is also survived by one aunt Clywreth Padgett Green of Charleston, SC and her grandchildren: David Sentell (Doshia) Allen of Summerville, SC, Maurice (Staci) Allen of Atlanta, GA, Shawn (Elise) Lawrence of Greenville, SC, Kristopher Allen of Washington, D.C., Calvin (Terri) Allen of Charlotte, NC, Sedrick (Tyesha) Allen of Charlotte, NC, Tonisha (Deon) Jacobs of Columbia, SC, Shannon Allen of Harlem, NY, Candis Allen of Rochester, NY, Daisha Pierrelouis of Fayetteville, NC, Dedrick Christian (Tyesha) Allen of Los Angeles, CA, William Anthony (Crystal) Allen of Atlanta, GA, Eryka Henry of Atlanta, GA, and Taylor Allen of Ridgeland, SC as well as a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

"A SERVICE ABOVE SELF"

Please remember to keep the Allen family lifted in prayer.

IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (Coronavirus)*** (no gathering or lingering in large groups). Once you view and sign the registry book, please exit to give others the opportunity to view.

You may email condolences to: mfrileysfuneralhome@yahoo.com

Send flowers to the service of Mother Betty Jean Smith Allen

Honor the life of Mother Betty Jean Smith Allen

Add a Candle

Click a candle below to add a candle to your message.