Mrs. Evelyn Garrison Allen, age 92 passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 2, 2016 at Wendover Hospice House of Cleveland County. She was born on November 18, 1923 in Lincolnton, N.C., where she grew up in a happy, warm and close knit Christian family of seven.

Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty-four years, Dr. Garland H. Allen. They shared a loving home in Boiling Springs for over fifty five years enjoying the fellowship of their many neighbors and friends.

She was the daughter of the late William Ernest Garrison and Malvina Hovis Garrison of Lincolnton. Also preceding Mrs. Allen in death were a sister, Bette Rose Morris,( Bill ) and a brother David Ray Garrison,( Mc Gretta) both of Lincolnton, and a brother Dr. Robert L. Garrison, ( Mary ) of Charlotte.

Mrs. Allen was a graduate of Lincolnton High School, Mars Hill College, of Mars Hill, N.C., Baylor University, of Waco, Texas, the Carver School of Missions and the Southern Baptist Seminary of Louisville, Kentucky, and later, from Appalachian State, of Boone, N.C. She received degrees in English, Greek, Religious Education, Music, Bible and Library Science.

She and her family first made their home in Louisville, Kentucky, then in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, followed by Memphis, Tennessee, where both she and Dr. Allen worked in Church Missions and taught, prior to returning to North Carolina to live and teach in Cleveland County.

Mrs. Allen was a long time employee of the Cleveland County School System where she taught English, French and was a Librarian. She cheerfully gave much of her time to the National Beta Club, the Annual Staff, Drama Club, and hundreds of after school Athletic activities. She taught and loved hundreds of students from the "old" Crest High School in Boiling Springs, and both West Cleveland, Crest Middle School and then ,the current Crest High School.

Mrs. Allen loved to play the organ and the piano. She loved to walk on the beach and help her husband with garden produce. Most of all, she loved people. She loved her family, friends and community. She loved her students, her neighbors and the Boiling Springs Baptist Church where she and Dr. Allen were members for over fifty five years. She truly loved her extended family of helpers who came to care for her and Dr. Allen in their last years.

Mrs. Allen leaves behind, to cherish a lifetime of joyful memories, a daughter, Laura Susan Pearson and husband Derrell, of Shelby, and a son, William Henry Allen and wife Ann, of Athens, Georgia. She also leaves one very dear brother, William Ernest Garrison and wife, Colleen, of Raleigh, N.C. Her grandchildren were her treasures and joy! Two grandsons, Wesley Allen Philbeck and wife Megan, of Annapolis, Maryland, and Dr. Thomas Drew Philbeck and wife Imme, of Geneva, Switzerland will miss her loving advice and many funny stories. Her granddaughter, Dr. Rebecca Jane Allen Lewis, and husband Westin, of Melbourne, Australia will miss her cooking partner and shopping confidant! Step-grand children Kevin F. Pearson, of Winston Salem and Wendy L. Pearson of Bend, Oregon will miss her love and affectionate friendship.

Mrs. Allen has seven great grandchildren to whom she was a very special "Noni,". They are: Thomas Wesley, Jack Shanley, Joseph Allen, Eileen Clare and Michael Kenny Philbeck of Annapolis, Maryland and Milla Aurelia and Charlotte Elise Philbeck of Geneva, Switzerland. Her loving and special helpers were: Linda Walton, Insheena Parrot, Pam Bristol, Keyonda Finney, Sandra Bristol and Janith Hensley. Their loyalty and love cannot be compared and is appreciated beyond measure.

The family wishes to thank Carillon Assisted Living Staff and the wonderful, loving residents who made Mommy so welcome for her short time there. We also thank Hospice House of Shelby for the kind and gentle care of the many nurses and staff who were a part of her life so recently. We wish to thank Boiling Springs Baptist Church for their continued care, concern, and support with the many visits, cards and calls. It has meant all the world to her and Pop, too, during these last years.

Funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Boiling Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Keith McKinney officiating. Burial will follow at Hollybrook Cemetery in Lincolnton. The family will receive friends an hour before the service from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm in the Life Enrichment Center.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Garland H. Allen Endowed Scholarship Fund at Gardner Webb University, or a donation to Boiling Springs Baptist Church or Hospice of Cleveland County in her name.

Mommy's lifetime of love, service and dedication to us will never be forgotten. She and Pop will remain in our hearts forever.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Allen

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com