Betty Jo Allen

Betty Jo McIntosh Allen, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 28, 2023, after a long battle with dementia. She was born to Joseph and Kathryn McIntosh on December 13, 1926. A lifelong resident of Birmingham. Betty Jo graduated from Phillips HS, attended Judson College for two years, and received her BA in sociology from the University of Alabama where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. After raising her daughters, she began working at Southern Co. Services in 1970 until her retirement in 1985. In 1986 she changed careers to Customer Service at the Riverchase Galleria and retired again in 2004. Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood was her church home where she was a member and attended with her family for many years. Later Betty Jo attended Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover with her daughter Becky and family. Known for her sweet disposition and gentle nature, Betty Jo was a wonderful listener and was always eager to help anyone in need. At the age of ninety years old, she helped take care of her great grand children, Beckham and Gabriel upon their births. She was most at home in the kitchen helping to prepare food for the household or sitting with a “kitty cat” in her lap.

Betty Jo will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her family asks that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life, not the sadness of her passing. Betty Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her dear friend and partner of thirty years, Mr. Clay Smith, and great grandson Aaron Pierce. She is survived by her daughters Becky Goldman (David) and Marie Comer, sister Kathryn McIntosh Newell, grandchildren Brett Lovell, Ryan Skellie, Amy Mynatt (Kevin), and Emily Kouzeli, six great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

A celebration of life service will be held in the Garden Cafe at the Botanical Gardens (2612 Lane Park Rd., Mountain Brook 35223) on June 21, 2023, at 11:00 AM.

All who knew her are aware of the fact that Betty Jo was extremely fond of any and all cats for her entire life and raised countless numbers of them. Therefore, we find it fitting that in lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Kitty Haven and Rescue (kittykathavenrescue.org) in her honor. That would have made her very happy.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Allen family.