Avis Allen

Avis Marie Allen was born in the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia on August 30, 1950. It was there she began to bring love and kindness to the world around her for the rest of her life. If her life was separated into chapters of a large book, the pages would be filled with the stories of the many lives she changed through her selfless love for others. Her heart was always compassionate for those who were lonely, poor, or hurting, which reflected her love for God and faith in Jesus. Avis was a Christian in both her testimony and the way she lived. God used her heart to bless others as an anonymous giver to needs of people around her.

On July 11, 2024, she left this earthly world and stepped into the glorious place we call Heaven. We are comforted by The Holy Bible, particularly 2 Peter 1:11 NLT, it reads, Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can yet only imagine what a grand entrance she stepped into. Our hearts are broken, yet we have reason to rejoice, this precious woman has made it home.

She lived a full life. Her love and involvement with her family made even the toughest of times into many good memories. She was raised by wonderful, loving parents and told countless stories of her 5 brothers and 5 sisters. She loved them all dearly. She married the love of her life over 50 years ago, Stephen Allen, with whom together they raised a family in a little community called Woodway, Virginia. She worked hard to give her children, Brock and Julie the very best life possible-she truly gave her all to everyone in her family. She took her children to church 3 times each week, all of their childhood, where she served as the secretary. In the latter part of her life, she loved to serve others at the local Veterans Affairs Medical Center and quilting. We cherish the quilts she made. Avis was infatuated with her grandchildren, Nicholas, Savannah, and Peyton, as well as her great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Barrett, and Aziel, who's arrival she was anticipating-there was never a conversation that she failed to ask about them or send her love. She was blessed with a couple great friends in Johnson City. She truly loved going on outings and talking with them. Today, we mourn because it's difficult to even describe how life might be without her, but she left us a legacy and an example to follow. She gave everything away.

If she could say anything to her friends and family today, she would say that she loved every one of them. Then, she would encourage them to take time to love one another, and she'd stress, "Don't allow time to go by without appreciating the simple things in life together. Slow down. Trust God and do good." ... and she would probably say, "McGill is gone from the woods, but don't cry, we will see each other again. I love you."

A private burial will take place at Mountain Home National Cemetery, where Avis will be laid to rest next to her husband, Stephen Allen.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Ave., Johnson City, is serving the Allen family. (423)282-1521