June Alen - ELIZABETHTON
Mrs. June Rio Grindstaff Allen, 165 Bill Allen Road, Elizabethton, passed away Tuesday November 4, 2008, in the Johnson City Medical Center.
She was 85 years of age. June Allen was born June 1, 1923, a native of Carter County and a member of the Siam Baptist Church. She began her education at Siam Academy, a one room schoolhouse for grades 1 through 8. Upon graduating, she was Valedictorian based on her grades. She refused to accept this honor because she had completed her school work at home and felt it was unfair to those who had attended classes. With a great sense of fairness, she accepted Salutatorian honors instead.
She was unable to attend her classes due to staying home to care for her siblings and her mother who was terminally ill. After her mother's death, she and her brothers were taken in by her aunt, Amanda Grindstaff, where she continued to take care of them until she married her husband, William Jones "Bill" Allen, at age 14.
She ran the Shady Lynn Dairy Farm with her husband, where she was the Accountant and bookkeeper along with milking and raising 5 children. She and her husband grew their food and she made the clothes for the children and herself.
As the children grew, she was active in the P.T.A., a member of the Siam Demonstration Club and worked at Siam School teaching girls how to sew and cook and home economics. At Siam Baptist Church, she taught Sunday School and Training Union. She was an active member of the Carter County Farm Bureau and supported her children and grandchildren in 4H Club, Church and School activities.
With the "Dancing Grandma's" she put on Square dancing performances at the VA Hospital and other organizations.
Throughout her life she felt education was important and with a thirst for knowledge completed her studies earning her G.E.D. at the age of 60.
In May of 2008, Mr. & Mrs. Allen celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary at a party with their large family.
June Allen contributed to a number of charities. In lieu of flowers you may donate to the Cancer Foundation, St. Jude or your favorite charity. Always willing to help others, her active life involved service to many others, but her family was her life and she was the Matriarch of the family.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Daisy Williams Grindstaff and Claude Grindstaff, Two Sisters: Ruby Hardin and Opal Gouge, Two Brothers: Wesley Grindstaff and Harold Grindstaff, One great grandchild, Austin Allen, all of Elizabethton.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, William "Bill" Allen, Daughters: Olive Jane Parker, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Anne VanHuss, and Marilyn "Mary" Elliott and her husband, Ray, of Elizabethton; Her Sons: Charles H. Allen and his wife, Myra, and William John Allen and wife, Norine, all of Elizabethton; 12 Grandchildren; 12 Great Grandchildren; Several Nieces & Nephews.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Funeral Chapel With the Rev. Burl Sluder and Rev. Adam Polk officiating. Interment will follow in the Nave Cemetery with the Rev. Dennis Wilson officiating. Music will be provided by Jamie Allen, Soloist, and Bill Anderson, Pianist.
Active Pallbearers will be: Garland Allen, Guy Allen, Alan Parker, Jamie Allen, Stephen Parker, Scott Elliott and Jordan Elliott. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Bill Gouge, Ben Allen, Ben Morrell, Norman Gouge, John Hardin, Billy McClellan and Kyman Grindstaff.
The family will receive friends from 12 noon Saturday to 2 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Friends may call at her residence or the residence of any of the children.
Condolences may be e-mailed to [email protected].
Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge.
June Alen - ELIZABETHTON
Mrs. June Rio Grindstaff Allen, 165 Bill Allen Road, Elizabethton, passed away Tuesday November 4, 2008, in the Johnson City Medical Center.
She was 85 years of age. June Allen was born June 1, 1923, a native of Carter County and a member of the Siam Baptist Church. She began her education at Siam Academy, a one room schoolhouse for grades 1 through 8. Upon graduating, she was Valedictorian based on her grades. She refused to accept this honor because she had completed her school work at home and felt it was unfair to those who had attended classes. With a great sense of fairness, she accepted Salutatorian honors instead.
She was unable to attend her classes due to staying home to care for her siblings and her mother who was terminally ill. After her mother's death, she and her brothers were taken in by her aunt, Amanda Grindstaff, where she continued to take care of them until she married her husband, William Jones "Bill" Allen, at age 14.
She ran the Shady Lynn Dairy Farm with her husband, where she was the Accountant and bookkeeper along with milking and raising 5 children. She and her husband grew their food and she made the clothes for the children and herself.
As the children grew, she was active in the P.T.A., a member of the Siam Demonstration Club and worked at Siam School teaching girls how to sew and cook and home economics. At Siam Baptist Church, she taught Sunday School and Training Union. She was an active member of the Carter County Farm Bureau and supported her children and grandchildren in 4H Club, Church and School activities.
With the "Dancing Grandma's" she put on Square dancing performances at the VA Hospital and other organizations.
Throughout her life she felt education was important and with a thirst for knowledge completed her studies earning her G.E.D. at the age of 60.
In May of 2008, Mr. & Mrs. Allen celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary at a party with their large family.
June Allen contributed to a number of charities. In lieu of flowers you may donate to the Cancer Foundation, St. Jude or your favorite charity. Always willing to help others, her active life involved service to many others, but her family was her life and she was the Matriarch of the family.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Daisy Williams Grindstaff and Claude Grindstaff, Two Sisters: Ruby Hardin and Opal Gouge, Two Brothers: Wesley Grindstaff and Harold Grindstaff, One great grandchild, Austin Allen, all of Elizabethton.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, William "Bill" Allen, Daughters: Olive Jane Parker, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Anne VanHuss, and Marilyn "Mary" Elliott and her husband, Ray, of Elizabethton; Her Sons: Charles H. Allen and his wife, Myra, and William John Allen and wife, Norine, all of Elizabethton; 12 Grandchildren; 12 Great Grandchildren; Several Nieces & Nephews.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Funeral Chapel With the Rev. Burl Sluder and Rev. Adam Polk officiating. Interment will follow in the Nave Cemetery with the Rev. Dennis Wilson officiating. Music will be provided by Jamie Allen, Soloist, and Bill Anderson, Pianist.
Active Pallbearers will be: Garland Allen, Guy Allen, Alan Parker, Jamie Allen, Stephen Parker, Scott Elliott and Jordan Elliott. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Bill Gouge, Ben Allen, Ben Morrell, Norman Gouge, John Hardin, Billy McClellan and Kyman Grindstaff.
The family will receive friends from 12 noon Saturday to 2 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Friends may call at her residence or the residence of any of the children.
Condolences may be e-mailed to [email protected].
Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge.
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