Irene (Trantham) Allen

Waynesville-Irene Trantham Allen, 95 went to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ, (whom she loved dearly) Thursday, August 23, 2018, at Smoky Mountain Health and Rehabilitation surrounded by her family. Irene was born in Haywood County on March 29, 1923, to the late Francis Carl and Pearl Cogdill Trantham and was the oldest of twelve children. She was a longtime resident of Haywood County and was a member of Hazelwood Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Reeves Allen; daughters, Sheila Allen Rohrer, and Francis Allen Thomson; son, Melvin Allen; infant son, David Lee Allen; brothers, Raymond, Yuman, Robert, and Paul Trantham; sisters, Lucy Biddix, Susie Davis, Ethel Trantham, Frankie Grindstaff; and daughter-in-law, Joyce Trull Allen.

Irene is survived by her sons, John Allen (Mary Ellen); Robert “Bob” Allen (Anna), Albert Allen (Judy), Bobby Gene Allen, and Gary Allen (Connie); daughters, Mary Shook (Ron), and Linda Reece (Carl); brothers, Roy Trantham (Pearl), and Tom Trantham (Faye); sister, Mary “Francine” Ledford (Calvin); 24 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 26, in the chapel of Garrett Funerals and Cremations with the Reverend Tim Lolley officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Johnny Allen, Scotty Allen, Randy Allen, Colton Allen, Jeff Conard, Brad Watson, and Brandon Allen. Honorary pallbearers will be Chad Watson and Anthony Nix. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 PM on Saturday, August 25, at Garrett Funerals and Cremations and at other times the family will be at the residence and the home of John Allen on Hazelwood Avenue, in Waynesville.

Memorial contributions may be made in Irene’s name to Hazelwood Baptist Church at 265 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, NC 28786

Irene will always be remembered as a loving and caring mother with a big smile.

A message of comfort may be left for the family and an online guest registry may be signed at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com