Sylvia Miller Allen

Born in Corinth, Mississippi in 1937, she was the daughter of the late Lew and Mae Miller, sister to Dianne Papasan, and was married for 61 years to Lindsay Allen, Jr. until his death in 2017.

A graduate of Corinth High School, Sylvia also studied for two years at David Lipscomb in Nashville, TN before devoting her life to raising her children and making a home for her family.

She and Lindsay were virtually inseparable for 61 years, but when he passed away, she stepped up to the task of managing home and finances. She pumped gas, paid bills, talked with bankers and made decisions that were always joint decisions in the past.

Sylvia was known for her love of cooking, and was a member of the Decatur, Alabama Junior League committee that published “Cotton Country Cooking” in 1972. It became a widely popular cookbook and was sold in many gift shops around the South.

She loved reading, especially to children, and made it a point to make kids feel important and loved. Her house was always alive with music and broadcasts of the latest news. She loved Frank Sinatra and big band music. Sylvia also loved the printed word. She saved newspapers and magazines and clipped out stories and articles to share with friends and family.

Sylvia and Lindsay loved people and making all feel special. They never met a stranger. If they met you in a restaurant, grocery or dry cleaners, they would ask all about your life. They were interested in people and touched so many lives with their genuine love for people, curiosity for life and warm friendship with the world around them.

Sylvia was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, and conscientiously lived a Christian life. She loved Charlotte and her home and the neighbors and friends she’d accumulated over 38 years of living there. She had an open mind and heart and extended a unique kindness to all living creatures. She loved planting and keeping flowers near every season - part of her way of welcoming and expressing her love of nature to all passersby.

Her parents, Lewis Franklin Miller and Mae Johnson Miller, and also an infant daughter born in 1962 preceded her in death. She is survived by sons Michael Allen (Dorie) of Wake Forest, NC, Jon Allen of Hamtramck, MI, sister Dianne Papasan(Larry) of Memphis, TN, three grandchildren: Henry, Mary and Meghann, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held on Saturday, January 25 at Gold Hill Church of Christ, 1055 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, SC 29708. Visitation begins at 2pm, memorial service at 3pm.

Online condolences may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com. Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service – Pineville Chapel, Charlotte, NC.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Foundation, PO Box 41817, Memphis, TN 38174-1817 or the charity of your choice.