Betty Allen

Betty Lorraine Cross Allen, age 91, of Hartselle AL; formerly from Selma AL, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2020.  She was born on May 5, 1929 in Birmingham AL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Noil Cross and Margaret Lorraine Spencer Cross, by her husband Joseph (Joe) Enoch Allen, and by her brother Robert (Bobby) Noil Cross, Sr and sister-in-law Andrea Knowles Cross.

Mrs. Allen is survived by her two daughters, Dana Allen (Mike) Haley of Lowell NC and Kimberly Allen Gully of Hartselle AL; her five grandsons, Peter Allen (Ashley) Haley of Lexington SC; John Scott (Sarah) Haley of Charlotte NC; Joseph Clark (Macey) Gully of Birmingham; Samuel Clay Gully of Huntsville AL and Benjamin Conner Gully of Hartselle AL; her great-grandson, Patrick Henry Haley of Lexington SC; her sisters-in-law Daph Crew of Montgomery AL; Bet (Dean) Istre of Baton Rouge LA; Kay McHugh of Orrville AL and her brother-in-law Tim Allen of Cedar Grove TN as well a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was a 1947 graduate of Albert G. Parrish High School in Selma and attended Massey Business College in Birmingham AL.  She retired on January 1, 1992 from the Alabama State Employment Service in Selma after 32 1/2 years of service.  After retiring, she enjoyed extended trips to ‘Sorry Away’ in Orange Beach, watching sports (especially Auburn Tiger football and Atlanta Braves baseball) reading and spending time with her family.

A member of First United Methodist Church, Hartselle and former member of Selmont Baptist Church and Elkdale Baptist Church in Selma, Mrs. Allen served the Lord in numerous capacities.  Her God given gift was encouragement, and her many notes, cards, gifts of Jesus Calling, phone calls and visits to the homebound touched the lives of many people.

She loved the Lord, her family, her friends and her church. She was “Mom” to her daughters, “MeMe” to her grandsons and “Mama Bets” to her countless ‘other children’.

Mrs. Allen’s graveside service will be held on Friday, August 28, 2:00 p.m. at New Live Oak Cemetery, Selma, AL with Reverends Daniel Martin and James Spicer officiating. Pallbearers will be her 5 grandsons and nephew Robert N. Cross, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Chamberlain, Trey Cross, Richard Dennis, Sam Gully, Galen Hammond, Jack Moseley, Craig Smith, Jamie Wallace, Quintus Williamson and Quinn Woods.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to those who lovingly assisted in her care in recent months: Connie Nickelson, Shawnna Silas, Tammi Terry, Victoria Silas as well as her extraordinary nurses and the support staff of Hospice of the Valley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Elkdale Baptist Church, 2221 Elkdale St, Selma AL 36701; Hartselle FUMC-Good Sam Ministry, 210 Hickory St SE, Hartselle AL 35640; Hospice of the Valley, PO Box 2745, Decatur AL 35602 or your favorite charity.