Nell Massey Allen

Avanell “Nell” Omeria Massey Allen, of Cary, NC, passed away peacefully on the evening of August 15, 2024, at Glenaire Retirement Living Community. Born on July 29, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Howard John Massey and Ethel Rebecca Thomas Massey of Greer, South Carolina. Following her graduation with honors from Duncan High School, she married her high school sweetheart, the Reverend James Edward Allen, Sr., on the 20th of February, 1953.

We celebrate Nell’s life as a wonderful woman, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. All that knew her were blessed by her kindness, graciousness, and loving spirit. Nell had a passion for reading, music, golf, sailing, traveling, and above all her family. She was “Granny” to her grandchildren and was happiest when she was surrounded by her family’s love and laughter. She was a dedicated volunteer for several organizations which included her church choir, and many church groups, one of which involved arranging flowers every Monday for many years for the residents at Glenaire. She and her husband Jim enjoyed traveling and were able to vacation on both the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth II. She relished visiting with Jim, family, and friends at her villa at Myrtle Beach, SC. She considered it a blessing and privilege to attend the 2005 Baptist World Congress in England where she sang with her church choir which had been invited to participate with multiple choirs from around the world. She was a faithful servant for the Lord along side Jim as he pastored numerous churches in both SC and NC. Her daily personal ministry was in writing letters, cards, and notes of encouragement to those the Lord laid on her heart. She was a faithful member of Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary, NC. Nell retired as receptionist of the main office of Nationwide Insurance Company in Raleigh.

Nell was preceded in death by James Edward Allen, Sr., her loving husband of 69 years; two brothers, Marvin (Alice, wife), Kenneth Massey; and sister, Linda McAbee (James, deceased). Her surviving family includes sister Alice Massey Keller; son, Butch Allen (Alta, wife); daughter Autumn Weikert (Steve, husband), and six grandchildren - Dustin Allen (Erica, wife), Will Allen, Madeline Gioja (Daniel, husband), Rebecca Shea Weikert, Joshua Weikert (Ariel, wife) and Hannah Andries (Chas, husband). She was blessed with seven great-grandchildren - Altalee, Eila, Cedar, Andrew, Nathaniel, Ben, and Annie; and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Glenaire Retirement Living Facility in Cary, NC, for showing such kindness and compassion for our mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, Cary, NC, in memory of Nell Allen.