Shirley Ann Webster Allen of 308 Maplewood Drive, Eden entered the church triumphant on May 5 following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer‚Äö?Ñ??s disease. A funeral service will be held Friday May 7, 2010 at 11:00 am at Fair Funeral Home Chapel with The Reverend Kyle Allen of Cary Presbyterian Church, Cary and The Reverend Tom Allen of First Baptist Church, Southern Pines. Following the service, the interment will be held at Ridgeview Cemetery, Eden Born February 25, 1933 to the late James Aldean Webster and Laura Weddle Webster, Shirley was predeceased by her beloved brother and former Wake Forest Law Professor, James Aldean Webster, Jr. (June). Shirley is survived by her cherished husband of 54 years, William Herman Allen, Jr.; her devoted brother-and sister-in-laws, William Thomas and Elizabeth (Lib) Pate Allen of Bunn Level and Alice Jowdy Webster of Winston-Salem; her beloved sons and daughter-in-laws, James Thomas (Jim) and Diane Lepping Allen of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and David Kyle (Kyle) and Elizabeth (Beth) Patton Allen of Cary; her five loving grandchildren, Tyler, Meredith, Courtney, Elizabeth and Mark; and her caring nephews and niece Dean, Marc and Gloria Webster and Tom Allen. Shirley, a graduate of Wake Forest University, served the Eden community in a variety of ways. For 32 years, she taught in Eden City Schools, devoting her life to teaching children academically, socially and emotionally to be responsible citizens. With expertise in Language Arts, North Carolina History, Earth Science, and Math, she taught the gifted and talented, pushing them to excel and to use their God-given intellects to their fullest capacity. She also had a very special place in her heart for children who were not as academically talented, especially those who were underprivileged and who came from less than ideal home situations. By taking a caring and vested interest in them, she boosted their self-esteem and enabled them to grow and achieve beyond what they and others ever expected. Shirley was also a committed member of the Eden Historic Preservation Commission where she served many faithful years as a board member. Projects where her keen leadership was key were in the planning and development of Freedom Park and the mill renovation on Flint Hill. As a faithful and long-time member of First Presbyterian Church, Eden, Shirley moved with the congregation from its beginnings on Early Avenue near the Boulevard, to its second location on Bridge Street, to its present location on Southwood Drive. When her health permitted, she attended worship regularly, served as a church office volunteer and supported the life and ministry of the church in many other quiet, less visible ways. Always supportive of Herman in his church work as an elder, choir member and former clerk of session, and intentional about raising her sons in the Christian faith, Shirley‚Äö?Ñ??s deep devotion to God served the congregation, her family and the community well. At her passing, the Allen family wishes to thank Certified Nursing Assistant, Bobby Hampton, for the great care and compassion he has shown us. For the last six years, Bobby has been a wonderful caregiver to our parents. Calling her ‚Äö?Ñ?ªSunshine,‚Äö?Ñ‚àû he tended to Shirley in every way and treated her with great dignity, love and respect. He has done the same for Herman, and will continue to do so. For his exceptional care and love, the family is most grateful. The Allen family also wishes to thank the many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals of Morehead Hospital and The Brian Center of Eden for their exceptional care of our mother and family. Especially, we want to express our deep, deep thanks for the end of life care shown to Shirley during her stay at Hospice of Rockingham County, Incorporated. Your tenderness and gentleness toward mom and our family accompanied us along the way and made our journey with mom into that life after life a true blessing. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, 6 - 8 PM at Fair Funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one or more of the following: The First Presbyterian Church, Eden, Building Fund, The R. Duane Best Auditorium Seat Replacement Project or The Hospice of Rockingham County, Incorporated. Online condolences may be offered to the Allen family at www.fairfuneralhome.com
May God Bless the Allen Family , Mrs.Allen was my teacher in junior high school . She was a very wonderful teacher , and she truely loved people .
cynthia durham broadnax
Kyle, Beth and family, You are in our prayers. Your Mother sounds like an extraordinary woman. Our thoughts are with you.
Sheila Cain
Please accept my sincerest sympathy in the lost of Mrs. Allen. I remember her well when I was a student and she always had a beautiful smile, but was dedicated to her mission in teaching. God bless each of you.
Debbie Thompson Horton
Dear Herman and the Allen family, Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Our times spent together at the hospital and at Hospice Home during the past few weeks have indeed been special. We've supported each other, laughed, and cried together and we'll never forget that. "Our" end of the hospice hall was quiet and lonely tonight, but we know Shirley is now at peace and no longer suffering. We wish comfort and peace now for the rest of the family as well. Love to you all, Tim,Beth, Austin, and Haley Shelton
The Shelton Family
May the love of those around you, help you through the days ahead. With Sincerest Sympathy.
Jada Chambers Johnston
Shirley was my teacher in the 7th grade many, many years ago. Over the years she would always greet me with a smile and a warm hello. I know she will be missed terribly and that Heaven has received her with open arms.
Rebecca Lunsford Scale
During my eight years at Holmes Middle School, Shirley was a very dear friend/lunch companion. I learned to love and respect her and I thought alot of Shirley. She talked about her boys often and kept me abreast of their activities at school and college. My wishes are sent to the family with fond memories to cherish.
Leola Meador
Condolences to the family during this difficult time. I really thought a lot of Mrs. Allen in and out of school. I remember when they use to come in Howard's in the 90's and eat. What a lovely lady inside and out.
Jeanie Smith
Kyle and Family, I was so sorry to hear about your Mother. I can still remember playing oouside your grandparents house when we were little and visits from Herman and Shirley as we grew up. Everything is still the same in Greer. Miss you all. Our prayers go out to you and your family. Please give Herman a big hug and wish we could be there. Ann, Richard and Emily Blake Sheridan 864-630-0508
Ann Sheridan
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Allen family. Shirley was my 7th grade teacher and fellow church member. She will be missed by the entire community that she served so well.
Cindy Wilson
Mrs. Allen taught many years ago when i was in the 5th grade she taught science when i had her. What a wonderful lady and a great teacher. I had not seen her for many years until i went with my mom to the Presbyterian Church a few years back and she still was the same sweet person that i had known many years ago. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Look to God and he will see you thourgh. May God Bless you and your family.
Mandy Holt
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. Mrs. Allen went to my church and taught my daughter in school. What a nice and sweet lady. May God Bless you.
Faye Holt
My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. Mrs. Allen was one of my teachers when I was at Holmes Middle School, and she was by far one of my favorite. She always had a smile on her face and it was such a joy to have her as a teacher. May God be with all of you during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love and prayers.
Tammy Cheek Jeffries
Kyle, Beth, and family, We are sorry for the loss of Kyle's mother and you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob and Ann Johnson
Dear Kyle, May God surround you for the rest of your life and especially in this hour. God Bless you. Marilyn
Marilyn Hein
To the Allen family, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to each of you during this time of grief. When I heard that Mrs. Allen had passed away I felt like I had just lost a family member myself. She taught me Earth Science at Holmes Middle School in the early 1980s and was always one of my favorite teachers. In the years since then I often ran into her when I was out in the community and she always had that sweet smile and always gave me a hug and told me she loved me. I knew she meant it when she said it and it wasn't just idle words. There are a couple of things that really stick out in my mind regarding Mrs. Allen as a teacher. She taught us what kinds of rocks make up the earth and I still have a small rock collection each of us did as a class project in her class. Another thing that sticks out in my mind is even more special. She taught us the colors of the rainbow by teaching us to remember the name Roy G. Biv. Each of those letters stand for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Whenever I see a rainbow I think of God's promise to Noah that He would never destroy the earth again by water, and now whenever I look up and see a rainbow I will think of Mrs. Allen. I will miss you Mrs. Allen but look forward to seeing you again someday.
Scott Hall
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of the Allens at this difficult time. But how blessed you are, and have been! And so have we, having had Shirley to become a wonderful part of our memories. The Cresenzos
The Cresenzo Family
Praying for all of the family.I had Mrs. Allen at Holmes in the 80's for Science.She was always very nice.She was a well liked teacher.She will be greatly missed!God bless all of you!K
Martha Moore Gwynn
I to like many others was blessed by haveing Mrs. Allen as a teacher many many years ago . i had her in the seventh grade her last year at the old leaksville spray school ... then she went to holmes the next year ... she was a very good teacher and as everyone said she always had a smile upon her face .. she always made science a very interesting subject ... may god be with each and every one of you at this time .. Mrs. Allen will be missed very very much .. god needed another angel and called her home and we will all see her again someday ... rose
rose t murphy
I was so distressed to hear of Shirley's passing. She was a dear friend while we were colleagues at Holmes Junior High. She was a lovely woman and I know her family will miss her dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Annie Joe Ivie Ragsdale
Annie Joe Ivie Ragsdale
I have many fond memories of working with Shirley at Holmes Middle School. She was a very special person. Our loss is great. My thoughts and prayers for the Allen family. My you gain strength through the knowledge that she touched the lives of so many who will miss her.
Melissa Whitten
Herman: I was very sorry to learn of the passing of your wonderful and devoted wife. She was a great teacher and a postive influence on a lot of lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to you!! Lawrence Mann
Lawrence Mann
Sorry to hear about your loss.Mrs.Allen was a Great Teacher &an all around person.She will be greatly missied by everyone she has everyone she met during her life her on earth.Your family will be in my prayers. Bridgett Olguin (A student from 7th grade)
Bridgett Olguin
Mrs. Allen was one of my favorite teachers many years ago. She was beautiful, inside & out. My sympathy to her family.
Sherry (Bennett) Bell
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